ElringKlinger signs fuel cell stack supply deal with Hongqi
EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, the fuel cell joint venture between ElringKlinger and Plastic Omnium, and the Chinese FAW Group have signed a contract for the development and supply of fuel cell stack modules. The prototypes of the ‘NM12-Single’ platform will be used in a next-generation fuel cell vehicle of FAW’s premium brand HongqiThe prototypes of the ‘NM12-Single’ platform will be “used in a next-generation fuel cell vehicle of FAW’s premium brand Hongqi”, according to the German supplier ElringKlinger. The order deepens the business relationship with FAW.
The ‘NM12-Single’ is a stack module made of PEM fuel cells, which was developed for use in passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. According to the press release, it offers a high power density combined with a compact design and low weight. “It is based on a robust and reliable technology that focuses on low hydrogen consumption for reduced operating costs and longer ranges,” says ElringKlinger. And thanks to the function-integrated modules, not only is quality assured, but system integration in the vehicle is also simplified. The performance data of the stacks for FAW is not specified.
To strengthen its own business in China, EKPO had already founded a Chinese subsidiary in 2022 and built up extensive development and production capacities. Since then, FC stacks have been manufactured for the local market in Suzhou near Shanghai.
The Hongqi brand has been around since 1959, and since then the limousines have been regularly used in parades at major celebrations. However, the great success on the market for private customers has so far failed to materialise. In 2018, FAW announced an initial electric offensive for Hongqi with primarily battery-electric models, some of which are also on the road in Europe – the picture shows a Hongqi ES9, which is sold in the Netherlands, for example.
“Hongqi sets high standards in terms of quality and performance when selecting a partner. Our deep development and profound technological expertise turned out to be a decisive factor,” says Carole Brinati, Managing Director of EKPO. “We are particularly pleased that this order further intensifies our long-standing partnership since Hongqi shuttle vehicles were equipped with our EKPO fuel cell stacks during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing – and proved to be efficient in extreme weather conditions. We are delighted that Hongqi has once again opted for EKPO’s fuel cell technology.”
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