Paris–French company Green Corp Konnection (GCK) has chosen to join forces with FEV – a leading engineering supplier globally – to design, develop and integrate its own high-performance fuel cell system. Its capacity will be showcased in motorsport before being deployed across other industrial areas. This announcement reinforces GCK’s commitment to playing a key role in the transformation towards zero emission mobility.
The two companies signed an agreement on 25th March 2021 to partner in developing an onboard fuel cell system with an output of 200 kilowatts (kW), one of the most powerful on the market. Green Corp Konnection will be the first user of the latest generation of stacks produced by EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, a joint venture between ElringKlinger and Plastic Omnium specializing in the development and industrialization of hydrogen fuel cells for mobility.
The GCK fuel cell system will offer a unique level of power and energy density, even enabling its integration into the lightest vehicles. With cooling, compression and voltage conversion solutions adapted to this power level, the fuel cell system will meet the growing needs for hydrogen systems in all sectors across the mobility market, from trucks, to buses and industrial equipment.
For over 20 years, FEV has demonstrated its experience in fuel cell system development on various major projects. The company’s services include the development and design, build, vehicle integration, commissioning, calibration as well as testing of components and complete fuel cell systems. Their application can range from passenger cars to commercial trucks and railroad trains.
The fuel cell system development is a key component to GCK Motorsport’s breakthrough project launched during the Dakar Rally last January. Led by Guerlain Chicherit and now supported by FEV, GCK’s sport and media flagship will become the first team to present a hydrogen-powered cross-country vehicle at Dakar 2022 before competing in the race in 2023, thus supporting Rally Dakar organizer ASO, in its desire to promote an environmentally sustainable event.
Eric Boudot, CEO of GCK commented: “We are delighted to have a leading partner in FEV to join us on this huge challenge. This historic step in the life of our company perfectly illustrates our mission to develop technological solutions to meet the growing demand for the integration of green energy in the field of mobility.”
“Thanks to more than 20 years’ experience in the field of hydrogen related technologies, FEV is driving numerous projects on a European and global level when it comes to the transformation of the mobility sector towards CO2-neutrality”, said Nadim Andraos, Executive Vice President for FEV in France, Spain and North Africa. “We are facing one of the great human and technological adventures and will make sure to support GCK’s participation in the Dakar Rally with a hydrogen powered vehicle with all our passion, expertise and infrastructure.”
About
GCK is an ecosystem of industrial companies at the forefront of the energy revolution in mobility and green energy supply. The group is heavily involved in motorsport through GCK Motorsport, one of the FIA World Rallycross Championship’s flagship teams since 2018, and GCK Energy, which won tenders launched by the Fédération International de l’Automobile (FIA) a year ago to become the exclusive supplier of electricity and recharging infrastructure for the electric World Rallycross Championship and its junior categories from 2021.
FEV Group
FEV is a leading independent international service provider of vehicle and powertrain development for hardware and software. The range of competencies includes the development and testing of innovative solutions up to series production and all related consulting services. The electrification activities of powertrains cover powerful battery systems, e-machines, and inverters. Additionally, FEV develops highly efficient gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, EDUs as well as fuel cell systems and facilitates their integration into vehicles. FEV has its headquarters in Aachen, Germany, and employs 6,300 highly qualified specialists worldwide, with 750 employees working for FEV France, the company’s largest subsidiary worldwide.
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