Following the successful prototype phase and positive market response, the Munich-based startup Keyou and Deutz are intensifying their collaboration. Both sides intend to expand their existing development partnership and enter into a cooperation for the joint development, industrialization, and commercialization of CO2-free hydrogen engines for off-road and on-road applications.
A corresponding letter of intent was recently signed by Frank Hiller, Chairman of the Board of Management of Deutz AG, and Thomas Korn, CEO of Keyou, signed.
“We are delighted that Deutz, as the world’s leading manufacturer of innovative drive systems, will also rely on hydrogen drives and thus on our specific development know-how in the future,”
so Thomas KornHe is absolutely convinced of the new generation of hydrogen engines: cost-efficient and clean at the same time, without compromising on range, everyday usability, and availability. Korn continues:
"Many fleet operators, transport companies, and logistics companies have already expressed great interest. Well-known off-road companies are also contacting Keyou, and there are also concrete inquiries from the rail sector as well as the maritime segment."
“Hydrogen is becoming increasingly important”
Deutz sees hydrogen propulsion as an attractive alternative in the future drive mix:
"The use of alternative fuels such as hydrogen is becoming increasingly important. We see this drive solution as a valuable addition to our electrification strategy and an important pillar for emission-free mobility of the future,"
said Deutz CEO Frank Hiller.
The new agreement can be seen as a logical continuation of the previous collaboration. While Keyou developed a drive system based on state-of-the-art hydrogen technology for Deutz from a conventional diesel combustion engine, Deutz, as a development partner, provided a six-cylinder series engine and its technical expertise. Always with the goal of the eventual industrialization and commercialization of the hydrogen engine with Keyou-inside technology.
Series production planned for 2021/22
“Our new hydrogen combustion technology is not only cost-effective, robust and powerful, but thanks to its high scalability, it can also be optimally applied to Deutz engine technology,”
so Alvaro Sousa, CTO of the Munich-based startup. As a manufacturer, Deutz also benefits from being able to build on existing production lines and existing infrastructure, especially since the basic components of the hydrogen engine are very similar to its existing core business and thus very similar to the diesel engine.
The 7.8-liter Deutz hydrogen prototype engine developed through this collaboration is the world's first combustion engine to meet EU legal requirements for a zero-emission combustion engine. Concrete pilot projects with vehicle manufacturers and end users are currently being planned. The first prototype vehicles are expected to be presented in the first half of 2020, with series production targeted for 2021/22.
