EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies (EKPO) will present its hydrogen fuel cell solutions at Hydrogen Technology World Expo 2026, including the HyFleet vehicle—the world’s first road-legal hydrogen-powered side-by-side. The announcement, made via NEWMEDIAWIRE, underscores the growing viability of hydrogen technology for energy-intensive applications that have proven difficult to electrify with batteries alone.
The HyFleet project, developed by BRP-Rotax with industry and research partners, integrates EKPO’s NM12 fuel cell stack to deliver a 90 kW system with up to 60% efficiency. The vehicle achieves a range of up to 400 kilometers and refuels in approximately five minutes, addressing key barriers to hydrogen adoption: range anxiety and refueling downtime. Extensive on- and off-road testing has validated the system’s performance, including cold-start capability at temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for winter and alpine conditions. A passive hydrogen recirculation system, developed with HyCentA, further enhances robustness and efficiency.
The implications of this development are significant. Hydrogen fuel cells offer a compelling alternative for demanding specialty vehicles used in agriculture, forestry, tourism, municipal services, and industry—sectors that require long operating hours and high availability. Unlike battery-electric solutions, which may struggle with weight and recharge times in these contexts, hydrogen fuel cells provide rapid refueling and extended range without compromising payload or productivity. By proving the technology in a compact, off-road side-by-side, EKPO and its partners are laying the groundwork for broader adoption across a range of mobility applications.
Dr. Stefan Dwenger, Managing Director of EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH, emphasized the company’s role in advancing hydrogen mobility: “HyFleet shows how we are applying our many years of fuel cell expertise to new mobility applications. Hydrogen is particularly well suited to demanding on- and off-road applications that require long operating hours and high availability. Our NM12 fuel cell stack, backed by our expertise in development and industrialization, helps our partners put this potential to work.”
The HyFleet initiative also takes a holistic approach by considering the entire hydrogen value chain, from local green hydrogen production to scalable refueling infrastructure. This integrated model could serve as a blueprint for regions seeking to build hydrogen ecosystems, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and supporting climate goals. The project has received funding through the Zero Emission Mobility program, administered by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), highlighting public-private collaboration in driving innovation.
At the Expo, EKPO will showcase its broader portfolio, including fuel cell stacks and components with power outputs from 16 kW to over 400 kW, as well as metal bipolar plates for PEM electrolyzers. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting both mobility and green hydrogen production. As industries face increasing pressure to decarbonize, EKPO’s advancements signal that hydrogen technology is moving from niche to mainstream, with the potential to transform how energy-intensive vehicles operate. The full release is available at www.newmediawire.com.
