European auto manufacturer to be provided with fuel cell stacks by EKPO for vehicle production
EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH, a subsidiary of Plastic Omnium, has secured a significant contract from BMW for the development and supply of custom-made fuel cell stacks. This agreement marks a major step forward in the adoption of hydrogen technology for personal mobility.
Based in Dettingen/Erms, EKPO specialises in the production of fuel cell stacks, drawing on the system solutions of its parent company. The company's initial production capacity for stacks is up to 10,000 per year, with plans to gradually expand this in line with order intake.
The stacks, which are based on proton-exchange membrane (PEM) technology, are designed to meet the challenging demands for a durable and compact design combined with high power density. EKPO's stacks offer matching solutions for personal mobility and are available in various configurations for integration into customer systems.
For this project, EKPO has developed a bipolar plate that includes a seal on the metal plate and a special coating for high performance and durability. Stacks with peripheral components and system functionalities integrated into the media module are also available as an option.
Dr. Gernot Stellberger, Managing Director of EKPO, commented on the contract, stating, "Hydrogen plays a key role as an energy carrier on the path to climate neutrality. This latest contract illustrates that hydrogen is also set to become increasingly important when it comes to personal mobility."
Delivery of the stacks is scheduled to commence as early as 2023, with the development and production taking place at EKPO's headquarters in Dettingen/Erms. The contract also covers the supply of prototypes and has an initial volume in the single-digit million euro range.
The contract with BMW is not the first for EKPO. The company has already demonstrated its capabilities in the field, having worked with other European OEMs on fuel cell projects. With this latest contract, EKPO aims to continue pushing the boundaries of fuel cell technology and contribute to a more sustainable future for personal mobility.
Achieving in excess of 6.0 kW/l in the cell block, the existing EKPO stack family is seen as a market benchmark. The company's commitment to innovation and quality is evident in its work, and this contract with BMW is a testament to that.
As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, the role of companies like EKPO in driving the adoption of clean energy technologies is increasingly important. This contract with BMW is a significant step forward in the integration of hydrogen fuel cell technology into personal mobility solutions, and EKPO is well-positioned to lead the way.
