H2X Global partners with Norwegian Hydrogen in the decarbonization of commercial transport fleets through the offering of a total ecosystem for the supply of hydrogen, refueling stations & commercial vehicles.
Norway, February 23rd, 2023
Australian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Manufacturer H2X Global Limited announced today the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Norwegian Hydrogen AS, a green hydrogen production-, distribution- and refueling company, to collaborate on the commercial supply of hydrogen and the range of Hydrogen Fuel Cell commercial vehicles.
The new venture will focus on the Nordic region, and the companies will develop a joint commercial and operational framework for commercial fleet operators located nearby Norwegian Hydrogen’s sites, for the transition to hydrogen as the zero-emissions solution in the future.
Will cover all components
The partnership intention is to offer all components for climate-friendly commercial transport through a single channel, such as the production and purchase of green hydrogen, distribution, and hydrogen refueling stations, and to provide customers with the supply and aftersales of vehicles, overcoming the challenge commercial operators have faced in obtaining a full- service option for emission-free transport in the past.
Using Norwegian Hydrogen’s pilot plant at Hellesylt as an example, the 1,4 ton a day hydrogen production, if used to abate emissions in the transportation sector, would remove more than 9000 t of CO2 every year. This would provide more than 9 million km of emission-free heavy road transport per year. And again, this Is only based on one out of many Norwegian Hydrogen sites under development In the Nordic region.
The need to reduce emissions in the transport sector is urgent, and the solutions are already available. This is what H2X and Norwegian Hydrogen will explain to all the potential customers who are invited to learn more about how they can take a leading role in the energy transition.
– Norwegian Hydrogen’s focus Is to enable zero emissions for our customers. It is paramount for our customers to also have access to hydrogen vehicles, and we are excited to collaborate with H2X to present a full package solution, says CTO of Norwegian Hydrogen.
– The transition to net-zero carbon transport through Hydrogen is vital to help eliminate the growing emissions from the transport sector. This sector accounts for 23%* of global energy-related CO2 emissions and is the fastest-growing contributor to climate change. Collaboration between hydrogen producers like Norwegian Hydrogen and a commercial vehicle manufacturer like H2X is crucial in the reduction of zero emissions, and offering fleet owners a good alternative, says Bill Moss, H2X Global’s Head of Sales & Marketing.
Norwegian Hydrogen announced last year that they entered into a partnership with US-based company FirstElement Fuel and Japanese company Mitsui to build a Nordic-wide network of hydrogen refueling stations and this partnership will assist in accelerating the success of this rollout.
– Trucks need refueling stations – and refueling stations need trucks. This makes the partnership between our two companies a perfect match, says the managing director for refueling in Norwegian Hydrogen, Per Øyvind Voie. – We hope to announce the first trucks and refueling stations ordered on the basis of this partnership very soon.
This follows H2XGlobal’s recent announcement through its subsidiary H2X Gothenburg AB’s the award of the public tender for the supply vehicles in the 3.5T, 5.0T, and 18T categories. It is planned that the first vehicles will be operational at the end of 2023 and all vehicles to be fully operational by 2025, supporting the production of vehicles for the Northern European regions in line with Norwegian Hydrogen’s development and operation of hydrogen refueling stations for heavy duty applications in the Nordics.
Bill Moss – H2X Global’s Head of Sales & Marketing.Øystein TørlenPer Øyvind Voie
Image rights: For use free of charge provided the source is acknowledged and in connection with reporting on the MOU partnership between H2X Global and Norwegian Hydrogen for the development of a total ecosystem.
About H2X Global Limited
H2X is an automotive and power unit company focused on absolute sustainability. The company is focused on harnessing the most efficient and effective technologies, with the onus on capturing free and renewable energy sources. A specialization in hydrogen is the basis of H2X’s growth, however, with a strong platform as a maker of electrically powered vehicles, the company has a versatile approach to finding the right vehicle for the right task. H2X Global has operations in Australia, Malaysia, India, and throughout Europe. www.h2xglobal.com
About Norwegian Hydrogen AS
Norwegian Hydrogen AS will build and operate an effective network of production sites and distribution systems zero emission hydrogen, tailored to meet the future requirements for zero-emission fuels in a wide range of mobility sectors and industrial segments. The company is supported by a group of strong industrial owners, such as Flakk Group, Hexagon Purus, Hofseth International, Tafjord, and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Norwegian Hydrogen’s head office is in Ålesund, Norway, and they also have offices in Oslo, Narvik, Helsinki, Copenhagen and Stockholm.
Renova awards H2X Global contract for hydrogen fuel cell trucks for the City of Gothenburg.
H2X Global has been awarded a contract of up to 70 millionSEK by Renova AB for the purchase of hydrogen fuel-powered commercial trucks in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The award won by H2X Global’s subsidiary H2X Gothenburg AB, comes from a public tender released in Q3 of 2022 for the supply of five vehicle classes where H2X Global has successfully secured vehicles in the 3.5T, 5.0T, and 18T categories. The evaluation process focused on the delivery of zero-emission vehicles and the need for seamless integration with Renova AB aftersales service requirements.
The 3.5T & 5.0T trucks have been designed to provide operators with a range of up to 500 km (310 miles) and a load capacity of between 800 – 2,000 kg, depending on the exact vehicle and specifications.
The vehicles are to be operated through the city waste management operator Renova AB, owned by ten municipalities in western Sweden. It is planned that all vehicles are fully operational by 2025, with the first truck being delivered to Renova AB at the beginning of December 2023.
This success confirms Gothenburg’s city and Renova AB’s decision to develop its fleet of zero-emission vehicles, including hydrogen Fuel Cell variants. This positions H2X Gothenburg AB as the first Swedish manufacturer of hydrogen Commercial vehicles.
Ian Thompson, H2X Global Chief Technical Officer stated, “From its creation, the vehicles have been designed to integrate the latest hydrogen fuel cell technology, keeping the client’s input and needs as a priority for a tailored approach”.
He added, “This direction is what underpins the H2X’s team in the development of a range of commercial vehicles adaptable for multiple applications without major technical constraints”.
Peter Westh, Head of Northern Europe stated, “The new range of vehicles offered today by H2X has been developed to perfectly meet the needs of the Scandinavian and European market in zero-emission commercial vehicles following the latest directives in Sweden for the needed energy transition together with European projects related to carbon-free mobility solutions”.
About H2X Global
H2X is an automotive and power unit company focused on absolute sustainability. The company is focused on harnessing the most efficient and effective technologies, with the onus on capturing free and renewable energy sources. A specialisation in hydrogen is the basis of H2X’s growth, however, with a strong platform as a maker of electrically powered vehicles, the company has a versatile approach to finding the right vehicle for the right task. www.h2xglobal.com. H2X Global has operations in Australia, Malaysia, India, and throughout Europe.
The city of Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the innovation powerhouse of Sweden, and the country’s second largest city. Situated at the west coast it harbours Scandinavia’s largest port. Business Region Gothenburg is the municipality’s non-profit company working to strengthen and develop trade and industry in the Gothenburg region, offering competence and contacts within a wide variety of areas and industries.
H2XGlobal Converts MOU with Swedish City Gothenburg For The Delivery of Hydrogen Commercial Vehicles.
Australia’s leading hydrogen fuel cell vehicle manufacturer H2X Global Ltd through its subsidy H2X Gothenburg and European Head Quarters based in Sweden, today announces the successful conversion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to supply hydrogen powered commercial vehicles to Renova, one of Sweden’s major municipal waste companies.
Renova, which is owned by 10 municipalities across the Gothenburg Region in western Sweden.
The initial order is to provide two eighteen tonne garbage back loader units, one 3.5 tonne tail lift light commercial truck and an additional two Warrego Pick-Ups.
There are further 3.5 tonne tail lift light commercial truck units included in the MOU to follow soon.
This decision of additional commercial vehicles from the original MOU only strengthens H2X Global’scommitment in Scandinavia for the development and production of commercial Hydrogen vehicles to the Public & transport industry using Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric propulsion.
This partnership with Renova and the City of Gothenburg is a clear commitment of the city to reach Sweden’s target of net zero before 2045 and by 2030 to reduce emissions by 70% compared to 2010 with the conversion of their existing fleet of diesel-powered vehicles zero-emission trucks powered with hydrogen fuel cell electric drive systems.
These trucks are scheduled for delivery from the second half of 2023.
Peter Westh – Head of Northern Europe states
“With the partnership with Gothenburg City and Revona and the Hydrogen Initiative in Sweden, we are collectively taking a major step and contribute to the development and establishment of a hydrogen-based eco system and the commitment to reduce emissions in the Gothenburg region.”
Chris Reitz – H2X Global Co-Founder & Chief Design Officer states
“Renova has shown their commitment to the green hydrogen economy, and we are proud to partner with them in the conversion of their traditional fossil fuel vehicles to H2X range of vehicles in the transitioning to a zero-emission region.
This partnership highlights the Company’s ability to work with innovative, fleet operators like Renova and Gothenburg City in delivering commercial vehicles which will meet the needs of the customer and utilising new technology such as use of super capacitors playing its part in reducing the current pressures and environmental impacts with the need for using large scale batteries.”
About H2X Global
H2X is an automotive and power unit company focused on absolute sustainability. The company is focused on harnessing the most efficient and effective technologies, with the onus on capturing free and renewable energy sources. A specialisation in hydrogen is the basis of H2X’s growth, however with a strong platform as a maker of electrically powered vehicles, the company has a versatile approach to finding the right vehicle for the right task. www.h2xglobal.com. H2X Global has operations in Australia, Malaysia, India, and throughout Europe.
Our goal is to always be able to offer the market’s best range of services within our industry, with environment, quality and customer service remaining paramount.
The city of Gothenburg Gothenburg is the innovation powerhouse of Sweden, and the country’s second largest city. Situated at the west coast it harbours Scandinavia’s largest port. Business Region Gothenburg is the municipality’s non-profit company working to strengthen and develop trade and industry in the Gothenburg region, offering competence and contacts within a wide variety of areas and industries.
H2X Announces its Warrego Pick Up now under rigorous European vehicle compliance validation and verification
Australian right-hand drive model to commence testing soon
Video of the Warrego in the current status is now available
Hydrogen fuel cell EV manufacturer, H2X Global, has announced the release of the first production of its Warrego All Wheel Drive Pick-Up Truck.
The Warrego is now undergoing final validation and verification testing procedures in the Netherlands as it heads towards gaining European and global certification. Australian certification testing will commence soon.
H2X Global CEO and founder, Brendan Norman, said the completion of the first Warrego pick-up was a successful milestone for the company.
The Warrego follows the successful production and launch of a range of hydrogen fuel cell emergency power and industrial use generators.
“It is extremely satisfying that our team now have the Warrego running through the final stages of its engineering, safety and on-road verification program and production readiness,” Mr Brendan Norman said.
“We have indeed had some frustrating delays over the past nine months; however, we are now well on track with our rollout plans,” Mr Norman said.
“Supply chain issues, which have negatively impacted manufacturing companies worldwide, put us about nine months behind schedule; however, our production and engineering teams have done an amazing job to overcome these problems, and we are now back on schedule.”
H2X Global has released a video of the Warrego as it moves towards European Homologation and Certification.
The Warrego is H2X Global’s first application to demonstrate the company’s capabilities platform that will be used as a basis for the upcoming all-new H2X Darling Delivery Van in a couple of years. This will be the first of the fully developed and optimised vehicles from H2X.
After the vehicle is ready to go through the process of global homologation, optimisation and improvement efforts are taking place to enhance its performance.
Brendan Norman said the focus for the first Warrego had been for a European release for several reasons but mainly due to the availability of hydrogen at the customer level in several cities where to order status has been high and government support is present to develop the Hydrogen economy.
The Warrego Pickup features a full version of the H2X powertrain developed for light vehicles featuring a Supercapacitor-based Hybrid system operating in AWD mode.
“The Warrego is essentially a demonstration vehicle which we can offer to several customers to accelerate the availability of an AWD light commercial vehicles to customers, using a state-of-the-art Hybrid Hydrogen Fuel Cell System.” Says Brendan Norman, CEO of H2X Global.
“This application will be applied in a more optimised form in the Darling Delivery Van and Taxi/MPV targeted for release to support the large number of European cities which will be closed off from Diesel and Petrol vehicles from 2025.”
The first release Warrego features a 60-kW fuel cell connected to a hybrid battery/supercapacitor electric drive system. This is connected to a 700-bar type 4 hydrogen tank system constructed of an advanced polymer and Carbon Fibre base, which offers exceptional safety levels with very long standards of operation.
While this will allow the car to work at the lower 350 bar compression, it can run at much higher compression rates which will double the range per tank.
The Warrego will be available to customers over the coming months and in line with the availability of hydrogen. The vehicle will be produced in Europe and Australia at the H2X facility in Sale, Victoria.
About H2X Global
H2X Global is an Australian automotive and power unit company focused on absolute sustainability. The company is focused on harnessing the most efficient and effective technologies, with the onus on capturing free and renewable energy sources. A specialisation in hydrogen is the basis of H2X’s growth, however, with a robust platform as a maker of electrically powered vehicles, the company has a versatile approach to finding the right car for the right task. www.h2xglobal.com. H2X Global operates in Australia, Malaysia, India, and Europe.
H2X Global Limited has recently announced that it has partnered with technology developer, KTM Technologies to create a revolutionary, innovative, lightweight and inexpensive vehicle chassis.
The team at H2X will work together with KTM Technologies in designing and developing their vehicle chassis and construction programs.
The team at H2X will work together with KTM Technologies in designing and developing their vehicle chassis and construction programs.
The recent announcement from H2X to build its hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Gippsland, Victoria cements a significant step in the Company’s journey in becoming a global leader in hydrogen vehicle manufacturing.
H2X CEO Brendan Norman says:
“Our partnership with KTM Technologies is a major milestone in establishing ourselves as a global premium hydrogen vehicle manufacturer.”
This partnership showcases the Company’s ability to work with innovative, world-leading brands like KTM. Momentum is building ahead of H2X’s planned major stock exchange listing as the Company continues to form tangible, strategic partnerships.
H2X and KTM will also be working together on several other projects such as an exciting Motorsport Venture involving hydrogen. Keep an eye out for the announcement in the months ahead.
This partnership showcases the Company’s ability to work with innovative, world-leading brands like KTM. Momentum is building ahead of H2X’s planned major stock exchange listing as the Company continues to form tangible, strategic partnerships.
H2X and KTM will also be working together on several other projects such as an exciting Motorsport Venture involving hydrogen. Keep an eye out for the announcement in the months ahead.
About H2X Global
H2X Global is an Australian automotive and power unit company focused on absolute sustainability. The company is focused on harnessing the most efficient and effective technologies, with the onus on capturing free and renewable energy sources. A specialisation in hydrogen is the basis of H2X’s growth, however, with a robust platform as a maker of electrically powered vehicles, the company has a versatile approach to finding the right car for the right task. www.h2xglobal.com. H2X Global operates in Australia, Malaysia, India, and Europe.
H2X was excited to present a Hydrogen powered Golf Cart at the 50th anniversary of the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC). The Golf Cart was a part of the collaboration with H2X and SEDC Energy to produce Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) in the Sarawak region.
The Premier of Sarawak, Abang Johari Openg, praised both parties for their efforts in his opening speech. This milestone represents the first in a range of commercial FCEV products planned to support the region in establishing a hydrogen-driven economy. The Sarawak region aims to be a significant hydrogen producer supported by Bintulu’s green hydrogen gas production plant. Hydrogen Gas stations are already operational across Sarawak, delivering infrastructure for FCEV vehicles.
H2X CEO Brendan Norman was pleased to “congratulate the SEDC Energy team for 50 years of incredible success in being a principal driving force in the Hydrogen program in the region and Malaysia”.
If you would like to know more about H2X and our products, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.
About H2X
H2X is an Australian-based, global automotive and power unit company focused on absolute sustainability. The company is focused on harnessing the most efficient and effective technologies, with the onus on capturing free and renewable energy sources. A specialization in hydrogen is the basis of H2X’s growth; however, with a strong platform as a maker of electrically powered professional hydrogen vehicles, the company has a versatile approach to finding the right vehicle for the right task. H2X Global has operations in Australia, Malaysia, India, and Europe.
H2X in agreement with Trelleborg Municipality to supply hydrogen buses and waste truck.
H2X & Trelleborg Municipality, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop the City’s first ever hydrogen high floor buses and a waste truck in collaboration with local energy company Trelleborg Energi, marking another major step towards making the municipal fleet zero-emission and cleaning up the city & outer regions air.
H2X to supply the first of its hydrogen buses into Sweden to the Trelleborg Municipality through Trelleborg Energi.
The new hydrogen fuel cell bus and waste truck is the next step for Trelleborg municipality and Trelleborg Energi on the journey to reduce the municipality’s carbon footprint.
The hydrogen bus and waste truck will be the first of 10 to join fleet in the Trelleborg Municipality’s first steps to reach zero emission by 2045.
This MOU is in line with Trelleborg Energi’s aim to introduce hydrogen solutions in Trelleborg, as part of the company’s development of local, sustainable energy solutions.
H2X & Trelleborg Municipality, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop the City’s first ever hydrogen high floor buses and a waste truck in collaboration with local energy company Trelleborg Energi, marking another major step towards making the municipal fleet zero-emission and cleaning up the city & outer regions air.
The new environmentally friendly bus will be the first of the proposed high floor buses and the first from H2X Global in Europe. The new buses will have both hydrogen fuel cells and super capacitors for the use as a school bus across the city and outer regions.
The non-binding MOU between H2X and the Trelleborg Municipality creates additional jobs in Sweden as the production of commercial vehicles for Trelleborg will come from H2X’s European HQ based in Sweden where the full production and Service is located increasing further volume to the recent awarded MoU with the City of Gothenburg.
Head of Northern Europe – Peter Westh said:
“H2X is paving the way for commercial vehicles across the Nordics and are especially pleased to have signed the MOU with Trelleborg Municipality in the form of a Joint Initiative for Hydrogen Buses for the school program. This on the back of our recent agreement with Gothenburg. This is a further step to connect our Zero emission powered vehicles along the European Hydrogen corridor.”
Magnus Sahlin CEO for Trelleborg Energi said:
”This memorandum marks another leap forward in the zero carbon ambitions for the municipality. We want to show that sustainable energy and mobility solutions are not about the future, but about making changes today. The first hydrogen bus and waste truck prove how we take concrete steps towards zero emission transports in the region. With the first fueling station up and running in Trelleborg in January 2023, these initiatives are an amazing start in transforming the vehicle sector in this region.”
Stina Salomonsson, head of Education Administration, Trelleborg Municipality said:
“For us locally, it is natural to take part in the transformation of the Swedish vehicle sector in order to reach the national goal of zero emission to 2045. Our new hydrogen vehicles are a part of this venture.”
CEO & Founder of H2X Global Brendan Norman said:
“We are pleased that Trelleborg and Gothenburg have entered partnership with H2X where we both work together in delivering not only the vehicles tailored for their needs but the total solution for their vehicle management. He added: “Sweden has one of the most progressive Hydrogen strategies, projects and activities in Europe, but we need to continue to act now to tackle climate change to improve our cities air quality. Introducing hydrogen buses and commercial vehicles to authorities’ fleet, by using the right technology for the varying operational requirements will help us all breathe cleaner air.”
About H2X
H2X is an Australian based, global automotive and power unit company focused on absolute sustainability. The company is focused on harnessing the most efficient and effective technologies, with the onus on capturing free and renewable energy sources. A specialisation in hydrogen is the basis of H2X’s growth, however with a strong platform as a maker of electrically powered professional hydrogen vehicles, the company has a versatile approach to finding the right vehicle for the right task. www.h2xglobal.com. H2X Global has operations in Australia, Malaysia, India, and Europe.
About Trelleborgs Energi
Trelleborgs Energi is a modern energy company with the future in mind. All our work evolves around sustainable and innovative solutions, connected to the local community. We aim to turn our customers into climate heroes, make our owners proud, and establish Trelleborg as the most climate smart city in Sweden. Read more on www.trelleborgsenergi.se
Trelleborg Municipality
Sweden’s southern-most municipality strives to deliver a high life quality and a long-term sustainable development to its citizens.
KTM Technologies is an affiliated company of international giant KTM
H2XGlobal and KTM join forces to develop revolutionary lightweight SMART chassis
New chassis to help reduce cost of hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric cars, trucks and buses
Australian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle manufacturer H2X has entered into a partnership with KTM Technologies to create a revolutionary, innovative, lightweight and inexpensive vehicle chassis. KTM is Europe’s largest Motorcycle OEM and global leader in the off-road market. KTM Technologies is the innovation and advanced technology hub within the Pierer Mobility Group, the holding company of the KTM family, and specialises in lightweight design, mobility concepts and products.
KTM Technologies will work with the H2X team to design and develop their vehicle chassis and construction programs. H2X recently announced it will build its hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Gippsland, Victoria, and this latest deal marks an important step in H2X’s journey to become a world leader in hydrogen vehicle manufacturing.
“Our partnership with KTM Technologies is a major milestone in establishing ourselves as a global premium hydrogen vehicle manufacturer,” said H2X’s CEO, Brendan Norman. “By leveraging the resources of a company with unparalleled capabilities such as KTM, we are not only securing our own future, but the development of an internationally competitive industry based in Australia.”
KTM AG is an Austrian motorcycle and sports car manufacturer controlled by Pierer Mobility AG, a company listed in Zurich and Vienna. It was formed in 1992 but traces its foundation to as early as 1934. Today, KTM AG is the parent company of the KTM Group, consisting of the motorcycle brands KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas.
The agreement will see KTM Technologies focuses on development of composite and advanced technologies around e-mobility use its innovative/progressive resources and world-renowned engineers to ideate concept solutions for an origami chassis platform, which H2X will use to develop and produce their vehicles in a radically new cost and resource efficient way.
The cutting-edge chassis will use sheet metal folding and welding technologies for a range of light trucks, vans and pick-up vehicles. H2X says the benefit of employing an origami chassis is that it is much easier to produce and maintain and way more flexible for variants than a conventional chassis. The origami technology allows very efficient and sustainable manufacturing in addition with comparable low invest cost for tooling which is typically a cost driver in typical sheet metal forming process.
KTM Technologies will investigate conceptual solutions for the origami chassis and evaluate which is best suited platform for H2X’s ground-breaking fleet of vehicles.
“KTM is a proven OEM with an 85-plus year history of revolutionising the two wheeler industry,” said Mr Norman. “Their reputation for quality and innovation will help boost our global footprint, as we look to sign more vehicle production agreements like we did earlier his month with the Sarawak State Government in Malaysia.”
KTM Technologies will analyse the best performing chassis and cabin structure layout, using FEM simulations for the optimization of the architecture. In terms of integration, KTM Technologies is designing and developing the chassis layout to complement the origami chassis approach.
In addition to the structural components of the vehicle, KTM will investigate and develop the best and most sustainable utilisation of eco-friendly materials for the exterior panels, considering the complete product lifecycle.
“The approach of KTM Technologies is to implement the most advanced techniques available and foreseeable, and combine it with H2X’s innovative approach with the origami chassis. Related to their Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hybrid approach we see a great opportunity coming in sustainable mobility that we are very excited to play a part in.” says Peter Martin, CEO of KTM Technologies.
“KTM Technologies has been a leader now for more than 15 years in lightweight and composite technologies, such as KTM’s revolutionary carbon fibre sports car “X-Bow” and many innovations for our world leading 2-wheeled products. Further on KTM Technologies supported many leading 4-wheeler manufacturers and we continue this leadership through our ”DRIVEN BY THE NEW” mentality to be a continued driver and the leader in this space as the world of Zero Emission Mobility comes to maturity.”
The partnership illustrates H2X’s ability to partner with global leading brands and innovators such as KTM. As H2X continues to demonstrate tangible strategic partnerships in all facets of business, momentum is building ahead of the company’s planned listing on a major stock exchange.
The partnership illustrates H2X’s ability to partner with global leading brands and innovators such as KTM. As H2X continues to demonstrate tangible strategic partnerships in all facets of business, momentum is building ahead of the company’s planned listing on a major stock exchange.
Further on from this development, KTM Technologies and H2X are working together on a number of other projects including an exciting Motorsport Venture around Hydrogen which will be announced in the coming months.
About H2X
H2X is an automotive and power unit company focused on absolute sustainability. The company is focused on harnessing the most efficient and effective technologies, with the onus on capturing free and renewable energy sources. A specialisation in hydrogen is the basis of H2X’s growth, however with a strong platform as a maker of electrically powered vehicles, the company has a versatile approach to finding the right vehicle for the right task. www.h2xglobal.com. H2X Global has operations in Australia, Malaysia, India, and throughout Europe.
About KTM Technologies
KTM TECHNOLOGIES GmbH deliver unique solutions by combining whole-vehicle development knowhow with lightweight design expertise. The DNA of innovative and production-ready products is built on creativity and experience, using the latest methods and sophisticated processes – whether for two, three or four-wheel projects or the future challenges of other industries. Mobility beyond existing solutions. Innovative lightweight construction. Applied technologies. Three factors that KTM Technologies deals with every day, to develop reliable and safe solutions and innovative possibilities. Expanded with a deep understanding of the entire vehicle, the highly qualified employees at KTM Technologies solve challenges in many industries – from the first idea to serial production. As a specialist in concept development, KTM Technologies GmbH has specialised in mobility concepts, high-performance and lightweight technologies.
Australia’s leading hydrogen fuel cell vehicle manufacturer H2X Global has inked an agreement with one of Sweden’s major municipal waste companies to provide hydrogen-powered trucks and light vehicles.
Renova, owned by ten municipalities across Gothenburg in western Sweden, has signed a memorandum of understanding with H2X Global who will build the company five commercial vehicles:
One 18 tonne back loader truck.
One 28 tonne demountable truck .
Three 3.5 tonne tail lift vehicles.
The agreement creates an opportunity for H2X Global to grow its operations in Scandinavia and become a prominent producer of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the region.
Renowned for its innovative strategies in industry and technology, Sweden has stated its ambition to become the world’s first fossil-free state. To get there, carbon from the transport sector must be reduced, meaning H2X’s hydrogen vehicles will play a crucial role in helping the country achieve this goal.
One of Australia’s leading hydrogen fuel cell vehicle manufacturers, H2X Global (H2X), is gearing up for a stellar year with the launch of its extended-range hydrogen-powered Warrego ute during the next quarter.
Securing more than $50 million in pre-orders from enthusiastic early adopters, the Warrego can drive 750 kilometres before needing to refuel its 220KW motor, can reach speeds of 150kph, and accelerates to 100kph in eight seconds.
Demonstrating that ‘clean fuel cells’, H2X recently expanded its operations in Scandinavia after signing an agreement with one of Sweden’s major municipal waste companies Renova.
The Sydney-headquartered company will provide hydrogen fuel cell-powered trucks and light vehicles to the city of Gothenburg, in a deal that H2X believes will pave the way for it to develop and produce vehicles for the wider Scandinavian transport industry in the future.
“It’s a really good deal; it provides us with a starting point to build a couple of vehicles for their garbage facilities, but it also introduces us to a lot of different activities that we’ll do with them,” founding team leader and CEO Brendan Norman tells Business News Australia.
“They’ve got quite a large fleet of vehicles behind them, and there are more than 500 vehicles, so it’s a matter of us doing the job properly and making the right sort of relationship with them, so we can then go ahead and invest in growing that business very strongly.
“Our team has worked on some garbage trucks on behalf of other companies before; however, this one is on a different power level than the previous. But if we increase the power levels, that’ll give us a great opportunity to show what we can do and then really push forward to see what can happen when we do these jobs.”
H2X will provide Renova with five commercial vehicles from the H2X range, including an 18-tonne back loader truck, a 28-tonne demountable truck and three 3.5-tonne tail-lift vehicles.
With manufacturing bases in Australia, India, Malaysia, and Scandinavia, the business is quickly moving towards its target of entrenching itself within 12 to 15 cities, where it can bed down and provide an appropriate after-sales environment for the first 24 months.
“The growing interest in hydrogen fuel cell technology in Europe has accelerated as the need to find alternatives to natural gas and oil increase with tensions in Europe’s north,” H2X chief design officer Chris Reitz said.
“We know that all of Europe is watching how Sweden and its neighbours adopt renewables, and we are very grateful to be included in the planning at this early stage.
“Our unique competence combining both a scalable hydrogen powertrain solution with internal Automotive knowledge enables us to tailor hydrogen-powered vehicles to the needs and specifications of our customers.”
H2X / Renova zero-emissions truck powered by hydrogen.
Background
Registered as a business in Australia in 2021, H2X is the culmination of CEO Brendan Norman’s journey in car manufacturing to date, an industry he has worked in since the early 1990s.
Having previously held senior management roles within the automotive industry at BMW, Volkswagen and Audi, which took him to countries including Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and China, Norman’s introduction to the hydrogen industry came after he was approached to act in an advisory capacity for UK hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric car manufacturer Riversimple in 2009.
After assisting with Riversimple’s launch in 2016, Norman and his business partner Chris Reitz were approached by Chinese investors to set up a fuel cell car company, known as Grove Hydrogen Automotive (Grove), in Wuhan in 2016.
Following the successful launch of Grove, the business faltered following the economic crisis in Wuhan in 2019. At that point, Norman and Reitz left to establish a more international and sustainable hydrogen focused vehicle company in Australia.
Initially raising $10 million in capital funding through long-held contacts, Norman’s design-focused business amalgamated with a separate group that were long time acquaintances but independently working on powertrains.
Once it was established that the vehicle designs fit with the powertrain and the idea worked well as a concept for what the company was trying to achieve in Australia, the two ideas were merged within a short space of time.
H2X has two key operating divisions; one is designing and delivering the powertrain systems to heavy equipment and stationary power applications; the second develops and delivers multiple light equipment vehicles using a proprietary H2X fuel cell and powertrain system.
“When we refer to hydrogen, we’re talking about the tanks that store the hydrogen – so the energy is within the hydrogen in those tanks,” Norman told Business News Australia in 2020.
“The hydrogen is then passed into a fuel cell; the fuel cell then converts the hydrogen into electric energy. A little bit of water will come out, but the electric energy is passed either directly to the motors or into a battery or supercapacitor, depending on the vehicle’s operation mode.
“If it’s accelerating, we generally use electric power from the battery plus the fuel cell power directly; when it’s cruising, we tend to use the fuel cell so that it will do different sorts of things at different times.”
Sitting behind operational teams dispersed across the globe is a development team of 30 people. The sales and design activities are mainly carried out in Barcelona, with more than 100 people now working for the company and more to come onboard soon as the business continues to scale.
‘We have a whole team that can develop cars, and that’s part of the core of what makes us a little bit different to some of our competitors, in that we are a car company and then we’ve bought in a team who can do the development of the vehicles,” Norman said.
“It’s turned out to be quite a good approach because we’ve got a team who can provide us with the background. We’re doing things differently from most other car companies – we’re using a different sort of approach in the way we’re putting chassis together, for example.
Focused on absolute sustainability, H2X concentrates on harnessing the most efficient and effective technologies, with the onus on capturing free and renewable energy sources.
Working with hydrogen infrastructure providers and commercial operators to establish cost-effective ecosystems from the start, the automotive and power unit company specialises in medium distance (300-600km) vehicles that are efficient to run.
H2X CEO Brendan Norman.
EV versus Hydrogen
“There’s one big difference between hydrogen and electric cars, and that is that hydrogen vehicles can turn up, refuel and leave within three minutes, so it is a completely different ballgame in terms of the distribution we can have,” Norman explained when asked about advantages of hydrogen-powered vehicles in 2020.
“You can see that Shell, and these types of companies, are getting into the hydrogen story because it’s an extension of their business model into the future and very convenient for people. As well as their petrol products, they can offer hydrogen products, which means there’s no need to have different heavy infrastructures put in place for vehicles overnight.”
Norman foresees that on a typical day, a hydrogen delivery van, or taxi, would be used for a six-hour shift before refuelling, which could be completed within three minutes. The vehicle could then be put back on the road with a driver change, essentially for permanent use.
“There’s one big difference between hydrogen and electric cars, and that is that hydrogen vehicles can turn up, refuel and leave within three minutes, so it is a completely different ballgame in terms of the distribution we can have,” Norman explained when asked about advantages of hydrogen-powered vehicles in 2020.
H2X’s The Van Darling.
In October 2021, H2X announced plans to build hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in Gippsland, Victoria, which will be their second facility after initially setting up in Port Kembla in New South Wales.
Under the agreement with the Gippsland Circular Economy Precinct (GCEP), a consortium of businesses that recognise the need to transition the local economy from brown coal power generation to renewables, H2X will manufacture hydrogen fuel cells, electrolysers, hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles and a range of hydrogen power units including generators and emergency power supplies in the region.
Outside of Australia, the business is targeting the growing hydrogen fuel cell transport markets in the emerging key regions of China, North America, Europe, North Asia and Scandinavia.
The business’ initial focus turned very heavily towards the southern part of Europe, where initially, there was a lot of swift movement. When that interest faded, H2X pulled back and pivoted towards India, Malaysia, and Scandinavia.
Norman acknowledges there’s less interest from a media lens perspective in these geographic areas, but they offer the business a perfect breeding ground to entirely focus on the product.
H2X’s The Taxi MPV Darling.
Ownership
H2X signed a preferred supplier agreement with Pure Hydrogen (ASX: PH2) in 2021, with Pure Hydrogen now being the preferred supplier of hydrogen to H2X. As part of the agreement, Pure Hydrogen became the largest shareholder in H2X earlier this year with a 24 per cent stake, which could increase to 48 per cent if the attached share options are exercised.
PH2 shares alone have more than doubled since the deal was announced in October.
Building on their success since founding H2X, Norman and Reitz were invited to share their innovations at the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow last year.
“We were able to introduce what we were doing to different people and talk to what was really an amazing group of people because they’re from all sorts of different walks of life, saying all sorts of different things,” Norman said.
“When we’re able to talk to them about where we are and what we’re doing, I think it surprised a few people in terms of how deeply we’ve been looking at it, from the point of view of the car industry, which is quite different to some of the other players that come from other areas.
The expectation is that the price of hydrogen will reduce significantly in the future. The Australian Commonwealth Government set a target for hydrogen to cost A$2.80 per kilogram by 2030. This means refuelling a 6.2-kilogram tank could cost as little as A$17.50.
“There’s a bunch of other vehicles that we’re going to have by the end of this year, including the trucks and some bus activities that will help kick us off,” Norman says.
“There’s definitely a cost issue, but what we’re doing is pushing the price down, and we’ve seen the price come down a lot over the last 24 months – the cost of some of the key units has gone from $1800 to $300 per kilowatt.
“We’re getting ourselves to a situation where we can start to become a lot more cost-effective, a lot more quickly than we planned, so that’s a pretty good position that we’re in.”
A specialisation in hydrogen is the basis of H2X’s growth; however, with a strong platform as a maker of electrically powered vehicles, the company has a versatile approach to finding the right vehicle for the right task.
“We do have some vehicles where we are looking at having battery-operated operations in some areas, which we think can be quite positive because there are certain functions where battery functions work better,” Norman says.
“However, one of the most exciting things about what we’re doing is mainly around the body and how we’re putting the vehicle together. You’ll see a lot more work with high tech composites in the body; that will be a key for us.
“We’ll be using some materials that haven’t been seen on vehicles before, and we’re pretty excited about what we can do with that. We want to make a vehicle that is a lot safer and can do things in a lot smarter way than some of the industry has done in the past and really create some cool results.”
Spurred on by the US$12 billion Nasdaq electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive raised in November 2021, Norman is working towards a 2023 target for a potential ASX IPO listing.
However, if the market conditions are favourable, he’s not averse to having a “crack” at it in 2022.
Australia made vehicle, H2X SUV “Snowy”.
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