Loop Energy, a developer and producer of hydrogen fuel cells for commercial mobility, has announced two partnerships with new vehicle producers, both of which are working on medium-duty hydrogen-electric trucks. Opex, a Colombian battery and hydrogen fuel cell systems integrator, and Avia Ingeniera, a Spanish electric powertrain provider and systems integrator, both plan to test hydrogen-electric vehicles in 2023.
Loop Energy joins the development planning with both organisations, increasing the Canadian-headquartered company’s footprint in Europe, while creating its first partnership in South America.
After more than a decade of supplying components and infrastructure for battery-electric vehicles, Opex recognised fuel cells as a solution for commercial vehicles in Latin America two years ago. It now intends to create a logistics truck employing Loop Energy’s S300 (30 kW) fuel cell as a range extender, beginning with a prototype. Once completed, the vehicle will be tested by a local fleet operator.
In Spain, Avia Ingeniera intends to use Loop Energy’s 30kW fuel cell as a tractor-trailer transport truck range extender. The truck is part of the “ShineFleet” initiative, which includes Técnicas Reunidas and other Spanish technology and engineering firms. The pilot’s goal is to show the viability of hydrogen technology while also educating fleet operators on how to build a fleet. Once operational in 2023, a logistics fleet operator is planned to incorporate the vehicle into its service routes.
“We’ve seen positive growth when it comes to using fuel cells in medium-duty electric trucks,” said Loop Energy Chief Commercial Officer, George Rubin.“Our team continues to identify manufacturers and fleet operators committed to the deployment of hydrogen-electric fleets worldwide. It is great to see Opex and Avia Ingeniería setting a positive example in their respective markets,” Rubin added.
