Fuel cell systems for commercial vehicles, Mahle to join forces with Ballard Power Systems
During the first phase of the cooperation, Ballard will be primarily responsible for system design relating to the fuel cell stack, while Mahle is bringing its extensive experience in the areas of thermal management, power electronics, and packaging.
Mahle and Ballard Power Systems will work together on developing fuel cell systems for commercial vehicles of various weight classes. The aim of the agreement is to manufacture complete fuel cell systems for several markets, from Europe to North America and Asia. As communicated by the two companies, during the first phase of the cooperation, Ballard will be primarily responsible for system design relating to the fuel cell stack, while Mahle is bringing its extensive experience in the areas of thermal management, power electronics, and packaging. This is not at all the first agreement signed by the Canadian specialist, which is already working with some primary players in the commercial vehicle industry, such as Forsee Power, Quantron or Eaton.
Statements from Mahle and Ballard
«Climate neutral hydrogen is the energy carrier of the future and, at the same time, key for the achievement of climate targets for medium and heavy commercial vehicles», said Jörg Stratmann, Chairman of the MAHLE Management Board and CEO. «Through our cooperation with Ballard, we will provide a strong stimulus to the development of fuel cell drives that are suitable for large-scale production».
«Given increasing policy support for low-emission powertrains in particular, we are pleased to work with MAHLE on driving forward our shared vision of carbon- neutral heavy-duty transport», replied Randy MacEwen, CEO of Ballard Power Systems.
