Proton Motor and AVL will share their expertise in engineering and simulation, improving the overall customer benefit. Both companies intend to co-operate very closely in the partnership. AVL will serve as the powertrain engineering and measurement technology provider while Proton Motor will be the PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell system provider. The acknowledgment establishes the formal basis for the joint activities of the two companies. Furthermore, it will accelerate the offer and order procedure, as well as setting the parameters for future projects.

Commitment to hybrid technology
AVL has been active in the development of hybrid drives for over 15 years and is amongst the leading companies promoting and integrating hybrid systems into various types of vehicles. Proton Motor focuses on back-to-base applications such as materials handling, utility vehicles and mass transport. These applications can be commercialised at an early stage as they do not depend on the existence of a ubiquitous hydrogen infrastructure. In September 2007 for example, Proton Motor unveiled the world’s first triple-hybrid forklift combining a fuel cell, a battery and supercapacitors to form an energy-efficient power system.

AVL sees the hybrid as an undisputed, emerging technology in the vehicles market, as is evident in the product development strategies of all major automobile manufacturers. Moreover hybrids involving fuel cell systems are particularly suited for special on-road and off-road applications. AVL is therefore delighted to be working with Proton Motor to further develop this important technology for mobile applications.

Felix Heidelberg, CEO of Proton Motor, says: “We are proud to collaborate with AVL a well-established and renowned company in the automotive industry. The partnership with AVL is a testimony to our success in establishing our technical credentials. In addition, it clearly affirms us as a leading developer of hybrid vehicle systems.”

AVL List GmbH
AVL is the world's largest privately owned and independent developer of powertrain systems for internal combustion engines and engine instrumentation and test systems for engine and vehicle testing. AVL has been active in the development of hybrid drives for over 15 years and has expanded capacity significantly in recent years to meet a rapidly increasing demand for development and testing solutions.  It has completed over 60 hybrid powertrain development and testing projects at its engineering centres in Europe and the US for customers around the globe. Further, after the year 2000, AVL established a fuel cell system engineering team supporting the development of PEMFC and SOFC systems as well as the integration and control in mobile applications. Founded in 1946 and based in Graz, Austria, AVL employs 3640 people and is represented in 45 countries worldwide. In 2006 the company had a turnover of 537 million Euros.

Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH
Proton Motor is the expert in industrial fuel cells, fuel cell systems and hybrid systems with more than 14 years of experience in the industry. The company, based in Puchheim, near Munich, offers a full range of fuel cell and hybrid systems from a single source – from development and manufacture to the implementation of customised solutions. The fuel cell experts focus on back-to-base applications, such as for forklift trucks or city buses, and on stationary solutions. The product portfolio comprises PM Basic basic fuel cell systems, the PM Package standard complete systems, e.g. as battery replacements, and customised PM Turnkey systems. Proton Motor is a fully-owned subsidiary of Proton Power Systems plc. The company has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since October 2006 (code: PPS).