Aussie H2X fuel-cell vehicles to use KTM chassis

Australian fuel-cell electric vehicle company H2X has announced a partnership with KTM Technologies to create an all-new lightweight chassis for its forthcoming range of new locally-built hydrogen-fuelled utes, vans and light trucks.

H2X is poised to launch its 2022 H2X Warrego FCEV ute, which is based on the Ford Ranger and at the top of the range offers a powerful 220kW electric motor, 90kW fuel-cell, 100kW supercapacitor/battery pack and 9.3kg hydrogen tank that enables a zero-emissions driving range of 750km.

The Warrego also doesn’t come cheap at $250,000 plus on-road costs for this top-spec model, but H2X is now looking ahead at its next-generation range of dedicated fuel-cell utes, vans and other light commercial vehicles that will be built in Gippsland, Victoria, and should be more affordable with the all-new underpinnings now in development.

Passenger cars are also in its sights, but further down the track.

According to H2X, KTM will create “a revolutionary, innovative, lightweight and inexpensive vehicle chassis”, drawing on the Austrian auto giant’s expertise in strong yet featherweight vehicles, as seen with the carbon-fibre KTM X-Bow supercar.

Using composite and advanced technologies specifically designed for e-mobility applications, KTM will develop a so-called ‘origami chassis platform’ that H2X will use to develop and produce its vehicles in what it claims will be “a radically new cost and resource efficient way”.

“The cutting-edge chassis will use sheet-metal folding and welding technologies for a range of light trucks, vans and pick-up vehicles,” said H2X.

“The benefit of employing an origami chassis is that it is much easier to produce and maintain and way more flexible for variants than a conventional chassis. The origami technology allows very efficient and sustainable manufacturing in addition with comparable low invest cost for tooling which is typically a cost driver in typical sheet-metal forming process.”

KTM will also work on complementary cabin structure layouts, as well as eco-friendly materials for body panels.

H2X chief executive Brendan Norman said the deal struck with KTM marked an important step in the Aussie start-up’s journey “to become a world leader in hydrogen vehicle manufacturing”.

“Our partnership with KTM Technologies is a major milestone in establishing ourselves as a global premium hydrogen vehicle manufacturer,” he said.

“By leveraging the resources of a company with unparalleled capabilities such as KTM, we are not only securing our own future, but the development of an internationally competitive industry based in Australia.” 

H2X is working towards a public listing on a major stock exchange, and will further leverage its partnership with KTM with a still-secret motorsport joint-venture that will be announced “in the coming months”.

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au