Loop Energy, a provider of fuel-cell range extenders, has announced a joint venture and non-exclusive license agreement with Chinese power electronics supplier IN-Power, to produce motive power systems incorporating fuel-cell stacks for next-generation heavy-duty electric buses and trucks in China.
Fuel cells are projected to play an important role in China’s transition towards enhanced energy security and renewable fuels as the country looks to replace polluting diesel engines in heavy-duty commercial buses and trucks, particularly in urban environments.
China’s current plans include having 1,000 hydrogen stations operating by 2030 to service one million vehicles including commercial buses and trucks as heavy-duty fuel-cell solutions enable long range, fast refuelling, cold-weather operation, and no impact to vehicle payload.
“As China pursues aggressive deployments of zero-emission vehicles to address escalating environmental and energy challenges, the demand for advanced fuel cell solutions will continue to grow,” said Ben Nyland, president and CEO of Loop Energy.
“We are excited to partner with IN-Power and hope to benefit from a new product offering that is strengthened by combining IN-Power’s market and manufacturing knowledge with Loop’s fuel-cell systems to better support the growing demand for a commercially-viable zero-emissions power solution for China’s growing heavy-duty commercial bus and truck segment.”
In addition to providing fuel-cell stacks, Loop will also contribute its system design to simplify and increase the efficiency of the overall fuel-cell system.
IN-Power will bring its manufacturing capability and power electronic expertise, including its DC/DC fuel-cell inverter technologies, to provide a zero-emission heavy-duty truck and bus powertrain solution.
