Fast-charge An EV In Twenty Minutes With GM's New Fuel Cell-based Generators

General Motors has developed a new range of hydrogen fuel cells to be used for fast-charging electric vehicles (EVs). With these ‘Hydrotec’ fuel cells, US-based Renewable Innovations is building fixed and mobile EV charging stations. 

Simply put, the Hydrotec power cube is a hydrogen fuel cell, a device that generates electricity from chemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen. Fuel cells don’t produce any emissions in their operation except water that can be reused in other applications. 

GM and Renewable Innovations’ Mobile Power Generator, or MPG, can be carried in a semi truck to any location to charge EVs. It has already been demonstrated during the October 2021 Rebelle Rally and it is expected to be used in California where parts of the power grid are strategically shut off to mitigate wildfires. 

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On the other hand, the Empower fixed EV charging stations can be installed at petrol stations for fast-charging electric cars. Each Empower generator can charge up to four EVs simultaneously at 150kW, and up to 100 cars before it needs more hydrogen. GM and Renewable Innovations expect to install 500 such Empower charging stations in the US by 2026. 

The smallest Hydrotec-based generator is powered by a single fuel cell cube, and it makes almost 70 percent more electricity than a similarly-sized 60kW diesel generator. It also offers battery backup and controls to change the power output based on need. The generator was developed for military applications such as powering electrical equipment at campsites. 

In the future, GM intends to scale up the Hydrotec generator to provide electricity in construction sites, buildings, outdoor concerts and festivals. These hydrogen fuel cell generators can potentially replace diesel power generators across the US and in other countries.