German company EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies and Swiss digital engineering specialist Akkodis are preparing to test EKPO’s NM20 fuel cell stack in a 40-tonne hydrogen truck. The demonstration vehicle is expected to deliver up to 360 kW of system output and will be operated in real-world logistics conditions to collect data for the development of future fuel cell systems.
NM20 Fuel Cell Enters Real-World Testing
Akkodis is responsible for developing and assembling the fuel cell powertrain and integrating it into the hydrogen truck. The vehicle will subsequently be deployed with a logistics company, allowing the partners to evaluate the system under actual operating conditions.
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The truck will serve as a mobile development and validation platform alongside EKPO’s existing test-bench activities. Real-world operation will provide data on fuel cell performance across different load profiles, environmental conditions and operational requirements.
EKPO plans to use the results to further develop the NM20 and support its transition toward series production.
360 kW System Uses One Fuel Cell Stack
The demonstration vehicle uses a one-stack-one-system configuration, meaning the truck is powered by a single NM20 fuel cell stack.
According to EKPO and Akkodis, the system can deliver up to 360 kW of output with efficiency of up to 61%. The approach demonstrates the potential for high-power fuel cell systems without requiring complex multi-stack configurations.
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The NM20 is currently the most powerful fuel cell stack in EKPO’s portfolio. Based on proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology, the stack is rated at up to 400 kW and is designed for a service life exceeding 25,000 operating hours.
The stack is intended for heavy-duty applications, including long-haul transportation.
System-Level Data to Support Development
The project is designed to evaluate the interaction between the fuel cell stack and other parts of the vehicle system, including the balance of plant, control systems, thermal management and high-voltage architecture.
EKPO Managing Director Dr Stefan Dwenger said real-world operation would provide data for further development and industrialization of hydrogen-powered drivetrains.
“The data gathered from real-world operation will provide valuable insights for further development […] and make a significant contribution to the industrialisation of hydrogen-powered drivetrains,” said Dr Stefan Dwenger, Managing Director of EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies.
Thomas Klukas, CEO of Akkodis Germany, said integrating a fuel cell system into logistics operations requires coordination between multiple hardware and software components.
“Integrating a fuel cell into real-world logistics operations is a complex undertaking,” said Dr Thomas Klukas, CEO of Akkodis Germany.
Klukas said the project combines system architecture, hardware and software to create a functioning hydrogen powertrain for heavy-duty transportation.
Technology Platform for Multiple Applications
The partners intend to use the data from the demonstration vehicle beyond the development of a single truck.
Information on system architecture, operating strategies and key components will be used as a reference for future fuel cell systems. The partners expect the approach to support system integrators and vehicle manufacturers in designing, integrating and validating their own applications.
The resulting development data could also be applied beyond road freight, including stationary energy supply, shipping and off-highway machinery.
The NM20’s electrical characteristics are also intended to support integration with modern high-voltage systems and potential applications at megawatt scale.
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The development and commercialization of the NM20 are supported through the European Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) funding program.
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EKPO develops fuel cell stacks and components for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, rail and marine applications.
The company is a joint venture between automotive suppliers ElringKlinger and OPmobility. The hydrogen truck demonstration with Akkodis adds real-world heavy-duty validation to the development of EKPO’s high-power fuel cell technology.