Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Is Audi readying a production h-tron? Brand buys fuel cell patents for $50 million

Andrew Hard
By

Audi h-tron quattro
Image used with permission by copyright holder
German manufacturers may be a tad behind the Japanese when it comes to the proliferation of fuel cell cars, but Volkswagen Group is investing in the hydrogen future.

Audi has announced the purchase of “a package of patents relating to fuel-cell technology” from British Columbia firm Ballard Power Systems. The brand has also signed a two-year extension with Ballard that’s effective until March 2019.

Recommended Videos

The ‘Technology Solutions contract’ is part of an $80+ million deal between the firms, which includes 800 patents relating to both automotive and stationary fuel cells. The automaker will pay $50 million for the patents themselves, and Ballard estimates the incremental value of the extension to be between $24 and $30 million.

Related

On February 11th, the value of the Canadian company’s stock jumped over 50 percent.

“Audi is acquiring these strategically important patents for the entire group and will make them available to all the brands,” said Audi’s Head of Development Prof. Ulrich Hackenberg. “In this way, we are securing crucial expertise that will provide new impetus for the further development of this technology.”

“The entire VW Group will use these patents,” he continued, but don’t think that means a hydrogen fuel cell Lamborghini Hurácan is in store.

VW and Ballard Power Systems have collaborated before. Audi’s A7 h-tron quattro, Volkswagen’s Golf SportWagen HyMotion, and Volkswagen’s Passat HyMotion, which debuted at the 2014 LA Auto Show, used components and technology developed alongside Ballard.

This isn’t the first time a major automaker has thrown a boatload of cash at the hydrogen industry. In November, we reported that Honda had pledged $13.8 million in financial support to FirstElement Fuel to help build 12 hydrogen filling stations across California.

Before that, coinciding with the debut of its Mirai FCV, Toyota announced a partnership with Air Liquide to build 12 stations across the northeast United States.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Andrew Hard
Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Amid concerns about EVs and batteries, Audi returns focus to hydrogen fuel cell
Audi h-tron quattro concept

Audi will be the Volkswagen Group's focal point for hydrogen fuel cell technology, according to AutoCar. Audi CEO Bram Schot stated the refocused h-tron fuel cell development effort is due to concerns about sufficient battery supplies for electric vehicles.

"We really want to speed it up,” Schot said. “We are going to put more priority into hydrogen fuel cells – more money, more capacity of people and more confidence."

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more