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H2X and KTM Technologies to create lightweight chassis for H2 fuel cell vehicles
Australian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle manufacturer H2X has entered into a partnership with KTM Technologies to create a revolutionary, innovative, lightweight and inexpensive vehicle chassis. KTM is Europe’s largest Motorcycle OEM and global leader in the off-road market. KTM Technologies is the innovation and advanced technology hub within the Pierer Mobility Group, the holding company of the KTM family, and specialises in lightweight design, mobility concepts and products.
KTM Technologies will work with the H2X team to design and develop their vehicle chassis and construction programs. H2X recently announced it will build its hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Gippsland, Victoria, and this latest deal marks an important step in H2X’s journey to become a world leader in hydrogen vehicle manufacturing.
“Our partnership with KTM Technologies is a major milestone in establishing ourselves as a global premium hydrogen vehicle manufacturer,” said H2X’s CEO, Brendan Norman. “By leveraging the resources of a company with unparalleled capabilities such as KTM, we are not only securing our own future, but the development of an internationally competitive industry based in Australia.”
KTM AG is an Austrian motorcycle and sports car manufacturer controlled by Pierer Mobility AG, a company listed in Zurich and Vienna. It was formed in 1992 but traces its foundation to as early as 1934. Today, KTM AG is the parent company of the KTM Group, consisting of the motorcycle brands KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas.
The agreement will see KTM Technologies focuses on development of composite and advanced technologies around e-mobility use its innovative/progressive resources and world-renowned engineers to ideate concept solutions for an origami chassis platform, which H2X will use to develop and produce their vehicles in a radically new cost and resource efficient way.
The cutting-edge chassis will use sheet metal folding and welding technologies for a range of light trucks, vans and pick-up vehicles. H2X says the benefit of employing an origami chassis is that it is much easier to produce and maintain and way more flexible for variants than a conventional chassis. The origami technology allows very efficient and sustainable manufacturing in addition with comparable low invest cost for tooling which is typically a cost driver in typical sheet metal forming process.
KTM Technologies will investigate conceptual solutions for the origami chassis and evaluate which is best suited platform for H2X’s ground-breaking fleet of vehicles.
“KTM is a proven OEM with an 85-plus year history of revolutionising the two wheeler industry,” said Mr Norman. “Their reputation for quality and innovation will help boost our global footprint, as we look to sign more vehicle production agreements like we did earlier his month with the Sarawak State Government in Malaysia.”
KTM Technologies will analyse the best performing chassis and cabin structure layout, using FEM simulations for the optimization of the architecture. In terms of integration, KTM Technologies is designing and developing the chassis layout to complement the origami chassis approach.
In addition to the structural components of the vehicle, KTM will investigate and develop the best and most sustainable utilisation of eco-friendly materials for the exterior panels, considering the complete product lifecycle.
“The approach of KTM Technologies is to implement the most advanced techniques available and foreseeable, and combine it with H2X’s innovative approach with the origami chassis. Related to their Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hybrid approach we see a great opportunity coming in sustainable mobility that we are very excited to play a part in.” says Peter Martin, CEO of KTM Technologies.
“KTM Technologies has been a leader now for more than 15 years in lightweight and composite technologies, such as KTM’s revolutionary carbon fibre sports car “X-Bow” and many innovations for our world leading 2-wheeled products. Further on KTM Technologies supported many leading 4-wheeler manufacturers and we continue this leadership through our ”DRIVEN BY THE NEW” mentality to be a continued driver and the leader in this space as the world of Zero Emission Mobility comes to maturity.”
The partnership illustrates H2X’s ability to partner with global leading brands and innovators such as KTM. As H2X continues to demonstrate tangible strategic partnerships in all facets of business, momentum is building ahead of the company’s planned listing on a major stock exchange.
The partnership illustrates H2X’s ability to partner with global leading brands and innovators such as KTM. As H2X continues to demonstrate tangible strategic partnerships in all facets of business, momentum is building ahead of the company’s planned listing on a major stock exchange.
Further on from this development, KTM Technologies and H2X are working together on a number of other projects including an exciting Motorsport Venture around Hydrogen which will be announced in the coming months.
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