Australian hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle manufacturer H2X has entered into a partnership with KTM Technologies to create a lightweight and relatively inexpensive vehicle chassis.
KTM AG is an Austrian motorcycle and sports car manufacturer controlled by Pierer Mobility AG, consisting of the motorcycle brands KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas. It was formed in 1992 but traces its foundation to as early as 1934.
KTM Technologies will work with the H2X team to design and develop their vehicle chassis and construction programs. H2X recently announced it will build its hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Gippsland, Victoria, and this latest deal marks an important step in H2X’s journey to become a world leader in hydrogen vehicle manufacturing.
The agreement will see KTM Technologies focus on development of composite and advanced technologies around e-mobility use with concept solutions for an origami chassis platform, which H2X will use to develop and produce their vehicles in a cost and resource efficient way.
The chassis will use sheet metal folding and welding technologies for a range of light trucks, vans and pick-up vehicles. H2X says 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 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.
In addition to the structural components of the vehicle, KTM will investigate and develop the best and most sustainable utilisation of eco-friendly materials for the exterior panels, considering the complete product lifecycle.
Further on from this development, KTM Technologies and H2X are working together on a number of other projects including an exciting Motorsport Venture around Hydrogen which will be announced in the coming months.