EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies (EKPO) will present its high-performance fuel cell stacks and components at Hydrogen Technology World Expo in Hamburg from October 20 to 22, 2026. At Booth 7H46 in Hall 7, the company will also display HyFleet, the world's first road-legal hydrogen-powered side-by-side vehicle. The vehicle's EKPO NM12 fuel cell stack is proving its capabilities under demanding real-world conditions, signaling a significant step forward for hydrogen mobility beyond conventional passenger cars.
The HyFleet project, developed by BRP-Rotax in collaboration with industry and research partners, illustrates how fuel cell technology can be applied to energy-intensive specialty vehicles. The side-by-side vehicle achieves a range of up to 400 kilometers and refuels in approximately five minutes. At the heart of the system is EKPO's NM12 stack, which delivers high power density and forms the basis for a 90 kW fuel cell system with an efficiency of up to 60%. The system responds rapidly to load changes, and extensive on- and off-road testing has demonstrated its suitability for practical use.
A passive hydrogen recirculation system developed with HyCentA adds robustness and efficiency. An innovative two-step needle ejector reduces mechanical complexity, while cold-start and freeze-start capability at temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius ensures operation in winter and alpine conditions. These features make the technology particularly relevant for vehicles used in agriculture, forestry, tourism, municipal services, and industry, where long operating hours and high availability are essential.
"HyFleet shows how we are applying our many years of fuel cell expertise to new mobility applications," said Dr. Stefan Dwenger, Managing Director of EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH. "Hydrogen is particularly well suited to demanding on- and off-road applications that require long operating hours and high availability." Stefan Arndt, General Manager BRP-Rotax, VP R&D Powertrain, added that EKPO's experience and tailored technology played a key role in turning the vehicle concept into reality.
The HyFleet initiative takes an integrated approach to operating hydrogen-powered vehicle fleets, considering every stage from local green hydrogen production to the powertrain, vehicle, and scalable refueling infrastructure. The insights generated will help guide further development and the technology's use in additional applications.
At the expo, EKPO will also showcase its broader fuel cell portfolio, including stacks and components for mobile and stationary applications with power outputs from 16 kW to more than 400 kW. The modular platforms are engineered for high power density, efficiency, and dependable operation, and EKPO develops customized stack solutions tailored to each customer's system architecture. The portfolio extends to green hydrogen production, with metal bipolar plates for PEM electrolyzers that leverage the company's expertise in precision forming, coating, and sealing technologies.
For more details, view the original release on www.newmediawire.com. The HyFleet project received funding through the Zero Emission Mobility program, administered by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).
