EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies and Akkodis have launched a joint project to deploy EKPO’s NM20 fuel-cell stack in a 40-tonne hydrogen-powered truck for real-world logistics operations. The initiative, announced on Aug. 27, marks the first integration of the NM20 into a heavy-duty vehicle and will serve as a validation platform for performance data under varying load profiles, ambient conditions and operational demands.
Akkodis is responsible for integrating the NM20 stack into the truck’s drivetrain, including system architecture, hardware and software development. The vehicle will operate under a logistics provider to generate operational data that will be used to assess the stack’s efficiency, reliability and suitability for heavy-duty applications. “The transition from fuel cell to real-world logistics is a complex integration challenge. Akkodis combines technology, system architecture, hardware and software into a functional whole, creating new opportunities for hydrogen technology in heavy-duty transport and beyond,” said Dr. Thomas Klukas, CEO of Akkodis Germany.
The NM20 stack, EKPO’s most powerful offering, is built on PEM fuel-cell technology and delivers up to 400 kW of power with a design life exceeding 25,000 operating hours. Engineered for heavy-duty use, the stack achieves system-level outputs of up to 360 kW in the demonstration vehicle while maintaining efficiency of up to 61%. The single-stack, single-system approach demonstrates that high-performance fuel-cell systems can be realized without complex multi-stack architectures, enabling potential applications in megawatt-scale systems beyond road transport.
For EKPO, the project is a key component of its system-engineering strategy, where the stack is validated at the system level early in development. Data collected from the truck’s operation will be fed directly into the NM20’s refinement, supporting the transition toward serial production. “The NM20 is designed specifically for heavy-duty applications requiring high power and superior efficiency. The data from this deployment will provide critical insights for advancing our fuel-cell technology and accelerating the industrialization of hydrogen-powered drives,” said Dr. Stefan Dwenger, Managing Director of EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies.
Beyond the truck application, the project aims to establish a reference platform for future fuel-cell systems. The findings on system architecture, operational strategies and core components will provide a validated foundation for system integrators and vehicle manufacturers, enabling faster development cycles, reduced integration risks and quicker market readiness. The results are expected to be applicable across stationary power, maritime and off-highway machinery sectors as well.
The NM20’s development and commercialization are supported under the European IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) funding program.
EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, headquartered in Dettingen/Erms, Germany, is a joint venture between ElringKlinger and OPmobility focused on developing and producing fuel-cell stacks for CO₂-neutral mobility across passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, rail and marine applications. Akkodis, part of the Adecco Group, is a global digital engineering consultancy with approximately 40,000 engineers and digital experts across 30 countries, offering consulting, solutions and training in AI, data, cloud and software engineering.
