STRATEGIC MARKET ANALYSIS IN THE FIELD OF FUEL CELL AND HYDROGEN VEHICLES

market studies for OEMs, suppliers and future market participants in the field of hydrogen cars and fuel cell components .

A fuel cell market analysis by MEYER INDUSTRY RESEARCH examines, for example, expected market volume, unit numbers, competition, customer requirements and trends in the market for automotive fuel cells and hydrogen vehicles as well as associated components and manufacturing equipment.

CURRENT MARKET ANALYSIS PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF FUEL CELL/HYDROGEN CARS

We develop customized market analyses for our clients, tailored to their specific requirements. Click on the project examples to learn more about some exemplary market analysis projects in the fuel cell and hydrogen drive market.

Fuel cell stacks are stacks of up to several hundred fuel cells and are thus the heart of hydrogen cars and trucks. In each of these series-connected cells, the chemical reaction energy of hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen is converted into electrical energy in a "cold combustion" process. Large Tier 1 suppliers, in particular, focus their development efforts on core components such as stacks, as they are expected to generate a high degree of added value.

Recirculation blowers are one of the most important components in fuel cell systems, alongside the stack, and therefore offer considerable market potential. In combination with a pump, this component pumps unused hydrogen from the stack back into the hydrogen supply. In addition to Bosch, companies such as Mann + Hummel and Rheinmetall/Pierburg are also focusing on the development and production of anode circulation blowers.

Market participants see the industrialization and further development of production technology for fuel cell systems as a key challenge. The high number of cells per stack leads to significant assembly effort and stringent quality assurance requirements with increasing production volumes. Automated production concepts will therefore gain in importance.

With the exception of individual production steps at component suppliers, the manufacture of electrolysis systems and their components is still very largely automated. A key lever for achieving future cost reductions is the gradual increase in the level of automation along the supply chain, from standardized cell components (e.g., MEA) to stack assembly.

MARKET FORECASTS FOR FUEL CELL AND HYDROGEN VEHICLES

Opinions in the automotive industry currently differ significantly as to whether the fuel cell will play a significant role as a form of propulsion in the market for passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the future.

Among the advocates of the technology are industry giants such as BMW and Daimler Truck , which are accordingly continuing to research the topic of hydrogen propulsion and invest in the technology. BMW, for example, is planning to launch its first large-scale production car with zero-emissions technology in 2028 and is cooperating with Toyota. According to BMW management, hydrogen is seen as a second pillar that can complement activities in the field of battery-electric vehicles . Daimler Truck began customer-oriented testing of trucks with fuel cells in mid-2024. Traton, the commercial vehicle division of the VW Group for example, clearly sees the future of mobility in battery-electric systems and does not expect much potential for hydrogen-powered cars and commercial vehicles due, among other things, to the lack of existing refueling infrastructure.

Numerous players, including Tier 1 suppliers and machine manufacturers, are currently positioning themselves to benefit from a potential ramp-up of the technology in the coming years. For many companies, it may be worthwhile to continue to monitor the industry and consider potential positioning early on.

MARKET ANALYSIS TOP 50 FUEL CELL SUPPLIERS GERMANY

The new market study "Fuel Cell Suppliers in Germany 2022" by MEYER INDUSTRY RESEARCH, published in September 2022, provides an overview of the 50 leading suppliers of hydrogen vehicles with fuel cell technology in Germany, their key figures, and the components and subsystems they manufacture. The study is available for free download on our website.

Global players and hidden champions: The analysis of the 50 leading suppliers of hydrogen cars and fuel cells in Germany reveals a dynamic structure: Global players such as the large Tier 1 automotive suppliers Bosch, ZF and Schäffler are represented, as are medium-sized players and start-ups that are positioning themselves in a potential future market.

Download our free FUEL CELL SUPPLIERS 2022 market analysis as a PDF

Download Top 50 Fuel Cell Suppliers

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FUEL CELL + HYDROGEN POWER AREA FOR SME SUPPLIERS

In the market analysis in the field of fuel cells and hydrogen vehicles, the major automotive suppliers show the trend in the industry:

These large companies are already positioning themselves early on with solutions for fuel cell propulsion, such as fuel cell stacks and recirculation blowers. At the same time, more and more medium-sized suppliers and specialists are seeking their place in the industry, e.g., with valves, filters, thermal management solutions, or electronic components/controllers. Tier 2/3 supplier relationships for the main components, stacks and recirculation blowers, are also conceivable as possible entry options for medium-sized companies.

Companies that have previously generated their revenue primarily from components for transmissions, combustion engines, exhaust systems, or hydraulic functions in vehicles are faced with the important question of how to position themselves for the new generation of vehicles in the medium term. Fuel cell drives, as complex systems, can be used as an opportunity for suppliers, as many components require similar development and manufacturing capacities as the combustion engine.

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