SFC Energy Broadens Mobility Collaboration to Incorporate Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

SFC Energy AG (SFC Energy), a leading provider of hydrogen and methanol fuel cells designed for stationary and mobile hybrid power solutions, is expanding its successful collaboration with the Swiss mobility company Auto AG Group (Auto AG).

This extended partnership now encompasses direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) from the EFOY series and EFOY lithium batteries, catering to both consumer (including motor homes and marine applications) and industrial segments.

As part of this expansion, Auto AG will become the exclusive distributor for EFOY fuel cells in Switzerland, further expanding into the market for small and compact equipment. Prior to this, their collaboration primarily revolved around the development of the mobile and emission-free hydrogen fuel cell solution known as H2Genset. The H2Genset was jointly developed with the Austrian company TEST-FUCHS GmbH.

SFC's methanol based EFOY and EFOY Pro fuel cells provide autonomous electricity generation that is unaffected by weather conditions or the time of day. According to the company, these fuel cell variants are highly efficient, quiet, and space efficient. They offer different power ranges, from 40 watts for the EFOY fuel cell to 125 watts for the EFOY Pro fuel cell. The applications of these fuel cells for eco-friendly power supply are diverse, covering consumer applications in motorhomes, yachts, and mountain cabins, as well as industrial purposes such as wind measurement and environmental data monitoring, including climate data and seismic activity.

Christian Böhm, Senior Vice President of SFC Energy, stated that they had previously collaborated successfully with Auto AG Group on the H2Genset, their mobile and emission-free hydrogen generator designed to provide reliable and pollution-free power supply. He noted that they were currently expanding this productive partnership.

The more robust EFOY Pro is well-suited for outdoor applications, as it is weather-protected and can be installed in boxes, trailers, or control cabinets. Both EFOY and EFOY Pro fuel cells can efficiently and environmentally friendly charge EFOY lithium batteries or conventional lead-based batteries thanks to an integrated smart battery management system (BMS).

Marco Villiger, who is responsible for Corporate Development & Digitalization at Auto AG, expressed his viewpoint regarding the collaboration. He mentioned that SFC's EFOY fuel cells aligned seamlessly with their innovation strategy for alternative power generation. He further stated that they were exploring new opportunities for compact devices, particularly for the more than 1,000 customers who rely on them for motorhome maintenance and service at all eight Auto AG Group locations. Additionally, he noted their ability to cater to customers seeking environmentally friendly power solutions for industrial applications.