PowerCell Group, now a part of H2MAC, an EU Project advancing hydrogen fuel cell solutions for Heavy Machinery

PowerCell is excited to announce its involvement in the H2MAC project, a four-year European Union-funded initiative aiming to research and develop fuel cells capable of enduring the demanding conditions of the construction and mining sectors, including exposure to dust and intense vibrations. The project will design a scalable hydrogen-powered fuel cell (FCE) powertrain for Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM), focusing on creating a reliable solution that can perform efficiently under real-world conditions.

Commencing in 2024, H2MAC brings together a consortium of members supported by the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, where PowerCell will receive a total of €793,000 of the project founding. PowerCell’s contribution will be systems and application integration, all adapted for harsh environments. Project milestones include the scheduled systems delivery between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, with the first operational tests anticipated in Autumn 2026. The diverse application experience in engineering fuel cell systems for demanding environments makes PowerCell a key contributor.

“Our involvement in the H2MAC project underscores PowerCell's commitment to pioneering hydrogen-electric solutions that address the complex needs of industries with high environmental impacts,” says Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group. “By applying our technology to real-world, demanding environments, we are demonstrating not only the robustness of our fuel cells but also their transformative potential to minimise local air pollution and decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors like construction and mining.” 

The H2MAC project aims to drive sustainability across NRMM applications and expand hydrogen technology’s reach into high-impact, off-road industries. PowerCell anticipates that insights gained from the project will foster future innovations and support a greener, more resilient heavy machinery sector.