KEYOU and Paul Group to collaborate

The aim of the intensified cooperation is to provide a nationwide service network and therefore further advance the market ramp-up for hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles and buses.

The two companies have been 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 t vehicle as part of the HyCET funding project. In addition, the Paul Group is responsible for the assembly of the 18 t trucks for the KEYOU pioneer fleet PF8, which is scheduled to start in November.

The existing cooperation has been extended to the areas of service, qualification and parts supplied to exploit synergies from the different expertise and resources of the two companies. To this end, KEYOU is also relying on the Paul Group's extensive partner network, which is being trained and made 'hydrogen ready' by Paul. As is 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," said 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."

The aim of the even closer partnership in the future is the long-term provision of a comprehensive service network consisting of qualified workshops, a corresponding range of training courses and 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," explained Markus Schneider, Chief Operating Officer at KEYOU.

As part of the HyCET research project funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV), KEYOU is currently working with consortium leader, BMW AG, and consortium partners DEUTZ AG, DHLFreight GmbH, TotalEnergies Marketing Deutschland GmbH, and Volvo Group on the development 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 in 2025. The Paul Group will also be responsible for building the vehicle for this project.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/20112023/keyou-and-paul-group-agree-strategic-partnership/