EKPO to present hydrogen fuel-cell systems for specialty vehicles

what happened

According to EQS, EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies will bring its fuel-cell stacks and components to Hydrogen Technology World Expo in Hamburg on October 20–22, 2026. The company will use booth 7H46 in Hall 7 to present HyFleet, described as the first road-legal hydrogen-powered side-by-side vehicle. Its powertrain is built around EKPO’s NM12 stack, which is being tested in demanding operating environments.

The BRP-Rotax project, developed with industrial and research partners, targets a range of up to 400 kilometers and refueling in about five minutes. The 90 kW system can reach efficiency of up to 60%, responds quickly to load changes and uses passive hydrogen recirculation developed with HyCentA. A two-stage needle ejector limits mechanical complexity, while cold and freeze starts are supported at temperatures down to −20 °C.

HyFleet is undergoing on- and off-road trials for potential use in agriculture, forestry, tourism, municipal services and industry. The initiative covers the full chain from local green-hydrogen production through the powertrain and vehicle to scalable refueling infrastructure, with funding from the Zero Emission Mobility program administered by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). EKPO will also show modular solutions rated from 16 kW to more than 400 kW, plus metal bipolar plates for PEM electrolyzers. EKPO Managing Director Dr. Stefan Dwenger and BRP-Rotax General Manager Stefan Arndt highlighted the project’s practical application.

why it matters

For markets, the announcement illustrates EKPO’s effort to extend hydrogen technology beyond passenger vehicles into demanding mobile and stationary uses. The ElringKlinger and OPmobility joint venture says it has more than 20 years of fuel-cell experience.

instruments