Fuel cell innovator poised to deliver Japanese e-mobility collaboration

On Monday June 7th 2021 myFC received and order, “placed by Lightec Inc. in Tokyo, Japan, who are in turn representing a global e-mobility component manufacturer.”

‘Who are myFC, and why is this ‘old news’ new news?’, may well be the question you’re asking.

Unpacking the detail, we’ll start with what we definitely know.

myFC are a Swedish company focusing on green and sustainable technology – founded in 2005 as a spin-off from fuel cell research at KTH, the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm – offering thin, modular, and scalable PEM fuel cells that are easy to adapt to electrical applications.

On Friday 11th June 2021, a second myFC announcement outlined: ‘One of the global giants in soft mobility starts a collaboration to test myFC’s solutions with scalable micro fuel cells integrated in their products.’

Michael Glantz, CEO of myFC stated, “It is just the right type of customer and development project, I see great potential both for them and us.”

He continued by saying, “For the time being, I am limited by a confidentiality agreement, but it is a large company that is very well known and well established on the global market.”

Now for the speculative bit.

There are 2, or maybe 3, Japanese businesses which might fit the, “bicycle systems” description given by myFC. Shimano and Yamaha are the most visible in the e-mobility space. However, this would overlook possibly the least familiar, but potentially most significant name; Panasonic.

Keeping the unknown partner in mind, we can reflect upon comments from board member Johnny Bräster; “Our technology is very well suited for soft mobility, smaller electrified vehicles, such as last mile delivery vehicles, scooters and electric bikes, etcetera, where normal battery operation always means limitations. With our fuel cells, it is possible to extend the range considerably compared to be depending on batteries only,”

Enough of the speculation; what’s the latest news?

The most recent cycling specific announcement, on January 10th 2022, confirms the Proof Of Concept (POC), described as a, “fuel cell bicycle system for (a) global manufacturer”, is on track to meet its development and delivery schedule targets.

Nothing says ‘watch this space’ quite like a ground-breaking technological innovation being developed in collaboration with an unnamed, “well-known manufacturer of bicycle systems”, coming at a time when global demand for e-bikes and e-cargo bikes is surging.