Loop Energy, a developer and manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cell-based solutions, announces a collaboration with METTEM-M Ltd., a developer and integrator of vehicle control systems, to provide hydrogen electric powertrain solutions to commercial vehicle OEMs throughout Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and greater Europe.
The firms’ first collaborative project — a hydrogen electric transit bus for GAZ Group, a leading global provider of commercial vehicle OEMs — is currently on show in Moscow, Russia, at the International Commercial Vehicle Show 2021 (COMTRANS). After passing usual road testing and vehicle level certification criteria, the 12-meter passenger bus vehicle is projected to join regular municipal transport service in Moscow in early 2022.
METTEM will utilize Loop’s eFlowTM fuel cell modules to develop and provide hydrogen electric subsystems, powertrains, and entire vehicle solutions for a number of applications, including transit buses, logistics vehicles, and rail transport.
The hydrogen electric transit bus, which is now being shown by its OEM at COMTRANS 2021, represents Loop Energy and METTEM’s first commercial milestone. METTEM created the vehicle’s hydrogen electric control system under contract with GAZ Group, a Russian manufacturer of light commercial and medium-duty vehicles, buses, powertrain and automotive components, and special-purpose vehicles. The solution combines GAZ Group’s existing battery-electric passenger bus platform with Loop Energy’s high-efficiency fuel cell modules and METTEM’s fully integrated hydrogen electric fuel cell system.
“Partnering with Loop was a natural next step for METTEM as we look to supply our OEM customers with mobility solutions that meet the growing demand in Russia and beyond for electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles over the next decade,” said Jan Drewitz, CEO of METTEM. “With Loop’s innovative fuel cell modules and our extensive powertrain and vehicle integration expertise, we foresee hydrogen electric solutions, and the benefits of extended range, peak power performance, and fuel efficiency, becoming the gold standard in the commercial vehicle market.”
“Collaborating with METTEM is a key milestone for both the adoption of hydrogen electric solutions for commercial vehicles, as well as expanding Loop’s footprint in both Russian and greater European markets,” said George Rubin, Chief Commercial Officer of Loop Energy. “METTEM’s market knowledge and technical expertise bring an invaluable contribution to this partnership. We are seeing a steady demand for clean energy alternatives across the globe and are eager to work with a leading player in the commercial vehicle industry to provide sustainable solutions.”
