cellcentric starts pilot production of fuel cell systems

cellcentric opens pilot production for fuel cell systems at the Esslingen-Pliensauvorstadt site, making another step towards large-scale production. By the end of the decade, solutions for long-haul trucks operated with fuel cell systems are to be developed here.

The goal of cellcentric is to develop, build and distribute drive solutions in large series in Baden-Württemberg. In addition, the joint venture between Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group plans to cover the entire ecosystem around fuel cell systems – from the product to maintenance to recycling at the end of the lifecycle.

"Fuel cell technology is now a proven practical solution for zero-emission long-haul heavy-duty transportation. However, production has not yet taken place on an industrial scale. This is precisely where the key lies to achieve economies of scale, optimize the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and provide cellcentric with a solid competitive position in the long term," says Lars Johansson, Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Organizational Officer of cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG. "The opening of our pilot production facility in Esslingen today is not the endpoint of mass production but serves as the blueprint for the next step. At the Weilheim site, we will consistently push forward with the industrialization and scaling of fuel cell system manufacturing over the coming years," Johansson specifies.

On the Road to Mass Production

At the Esslingen-Pliensauvorstadt location, more than 100 employees work. They have approximately 10,300 m² of production and logistics space as well as office and administrative rooms at their disposal. The property, in close proximity to the B10, belongs to the Greenfield Business Park Esslingen. In May 2024, cellcentric presented its compact, powerful, and efficient NextGen fuel cell system for long-haul trucks for the first time at the ACT Expo in Las Vegas. Additionally, the company has a pilot product, the BZA150 fuel cell generation, which is close to series production and already suitable for practical use, and has been tested in demanding field tests by truck manufacturers Daimler Truck and Volvo Group. The start of series production of the NextGen fuel cell system is planned for the end of the decade.