Dec 20 2012
McPhy Energy, leading supplier of solid state hydrogen storage solutions, is now driving emission free. Based on a B2B partnership model with Opel, McPhy has individualized an Opel HydroGen4 fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) with its unique design and operates it in Berlin. This is part of a sponsorship program where Opel provides car and technology support and the B2B partner creates visibility and operates the vehicle.
Photo on the right: General Motors / Opel representative Gerard Planche (2nd left) hands over the keys to Roland Käppner, CEO McPhy Energy Germany (2nd right). Oliver Ehret (right) and Thorsten Herbert (left), both from the National Organization Hydrogen (NOW) of Germany are joining in.
"We believe in a future hydrogen economy, and fuel cell vehicles will be part of it. Apart from our responsibility to push clean technologies, it is great fun to drive these cars. I personally find it exciting to emit tiny ice cubes from the exhaust instead of NOx and Carbon Monoxide", says Roland Käppner, CEO of McPhy Energy Germany.
HydroGen4 is Opel/GM’s 4th generation FCEV, able to operate in sub-zero temperatures and offering all comfort and amenities of today’s vehicles. It has a range of 320km, and its 93kW fuel cell stack delivers a hefty 320Nm torque to the wheels. Opel operates a fleet of 30 HydroGen4 in Germany.
"McPhy’s design on the car reflects our philosophy to make the fuel cell experience an emotional one, rather than only focusing on new technology", said Gerard Planche, Manager of Opel’s HydroGen4 Test Program.
McPhy expects a good potential to integrate their technologies into the future supply and refueling infrastructure for hydrogen driven vehicles. Solid state storage offers a safe and low-footprint complementary option for high pressure bulk storage. McPhy is already in discussions to demonstrate their systems in refueling station projects.