Polish electric bus manufacturer ARP E-Vehicles has recently announced a collaboration with Canadian fuel cell specialist Loop Energy. The partnership aims to integrate Loop Energy’s T605 fuel cell system into ARP E-Vehicles’ upcoming hydrogen-electric bus platform. This new venture specifically targets the municipal transit service market in Europe.
Under the terms of the supply agreement, Loop Energy will provide ARP E-Vehicles with its 60 kW fuel cell system, which will be seamlessly incorporated into the design of ARP E-Vehicles’ new 12-meter hydrogen-electric bus. The first delivery of the T605 60 kW fuel cell unit is anticipated in the fourth quarter of this year. This order marks the initial deployment of Loop Energy’s product line designed for rooftop mounting, specifically tailored to meet the requirements of the European bus market.
Loop Energy highlights the crucial role played by its distribution partner, Drabpol, based in Poland, in facilitating this agreement. Drabpol provided local support throughout the tender process, which was a significant prerequisite for ARP E-Vehicles. Drabpol, a well-positioned value-added supplier within Poland’s dominant bus manufacturing sector, offers technical support, design expertise, implementation services, and market development as a reseller for several global brands. Loop Energy and Drabpol had already established a value-added distribution agreement for Poland in 2022.
Piotr Ćladowski, President of the Board at ARP E-Vehicles, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Working with Drabpol and Loop Energy will allow us to secure a technological advantage and scale production capacity of hydrogen-electric buses.”
ARP E-Vehicles expects to finalize the construction of its first hydrogen-electric bus by the end of this year, coinciding with the delivery of the initial fuel cell units. Commercial sales are projected to commence in 2024.
Loop Energy, now considered a preferred fuel cell provider, has established partnerships with various fuel cell electric bus manufacturers across Korea, Australia, and Europe. This presents a substantial market opportunity estimated to reach up to 12,000 units annually. The company’s collaborations include renowned industry players such as Cummins in the USA, Spedition Rheintal-Transporte in Germany, NGVI in South Korea, and Tevva in the UK. Additionally, Loop Energy has recently begun setting up a factory in the UK and has expanded its product line to offer fuel cell systems for trucks.
As the partnership between ARP E-Vehicles and Loop Energy takes shape, the collective efforts of these companies aim to drive forward the adoption of hydrogen-electric buses and contribute to the sustainable transformation of the transportation industry.
