Munich-based hydrogen pioneer KEYOU and leading commercial vehicle specialist Paul Nutzfahrzeuge from Vilshofen in Lower Bavaria are further expanding their existing partnership.The aim of the intensified cooperation is to provide a nationwide service network and thus further advance the market ramp-up for hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles and buses.
The two companies are linked by a long-standing partnership and the shared conviction that hydrogen is indispensable as an alternative drive technology in the commercial vehicle segment. As "preferred partner" for the assembly of KEYOU vehicles, Paul has already set up the two prototype vehicles for KEYOU in the past - the 18 t truck and the 12 m city bus - and is currently entrusted with the construction of a 40-ton vehicle as part of the HyCET funding project. In addition, the Paul Group is responsible for the assembly of the 18t trucks for the KEYOU pioneer fleet "PF8", which is scheduled to start in November.
KEYOU and Paul Group - perfect symbiosis of two industry leaders
The existing cooperation will now be extended to the areas of service, qualification and parts supply to exploit synergies from the different expertise and resources of the two companies. To this end, KEYOU is now also relying on the Paul Group's extensive partner network, which is being trained and made "H2 ready" by Paul. As is well known, KEYOU offers fleet operators a full service package that not only includes a toll-exempt vehicle with a CO2-free hydrogen engine, but also covers insurance, fuel and a comprehensive service and maintenance programme.
"We are looking forward to further intensifying our partnership with KEYOU," says Bernhard Wasner, CEO of the Paul Group. "The company is an important partner for us, as we want to be open to all technologies. In addition to battery-electric and fuel cell-electric trucks, other alternative drive systems also remain relevant. We successfully bundle the similarities between the technologies in our After Sales Services."
Market ramp-up for hydrogen-poweredcommercial vehicles and buses to be driven forward
The aim of the even closer partnership inthe future is the long-term provision of a comprehensive service networkconsisting of qualified workshops, a corresponding range of training coursesand a seamless supply of spare parts. In addition, the workshops are to be equipped with the special tools required for the conversion via the network.
"We have been relying on the comprehensive expertise of the Paul Group for a long time, as they have already been a dependable and competent partner for the construction of our prototype vehicles. The close proximity of our locations has always been an additional advantage for our collaboration," explains Markus Schneider, COO at KEYOU." Therefore, it was the logical next step for us to expand our cooperation. The fact that we will also be able to rely on Paul's extensive partner network in future is a great benefit for everyone involved," summarizes Schneider.
Sustainable freight transport: 40 t truck withCO2-free hydrogen engine in the works
As part of the HyCET research project funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV), KEYOU is currentlyworking with consortium leader BMW AG and consortium partners DEUTZ AG, DHLFreight GmbH, TotalEnergies Marketing Deutschland GmbH and Volvo Group on thedevelopment and testing of a 40 t truck with a 13 l hydrogen combustion engine. After the planned completion in 2024, the road test is scheduled to start in2025. The Paul Group will also be responsible for building the vehicle for this project.
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