Audi has indicated its long-term commitment to the development of hydrogen fuel-cell technology with the purchase of a number of important patents from Ballard Power Systems Inc. The deal, believed to be worth as much as €98 million, will play a crucial role in the advancement of fuel-cell vehicles across the Volkswagen Group.
"Audi is acquiring these strategically important patents for the entire group and will make them available to all the brands. In this way, we are securing crucial expertise that will provide new impetus for the further development of this technology," said Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi's Technical Development Chief.
In addition to the transfer of ownership of the patents, Ballard will also provide engineering services to the Volkswagen Group up until March 2019 in order to give the Group a greater understanding of the technology. Audi showcased its current hydrogen fuel-cell technology with the unveiling of an A7 Sportback h-tron at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this year. The fuel-cell technology is earmarked for eventual use by the Group's other brands such as Volkswagen, as well as potentially with marques like Porsche and Bentley.
The advantage of fuel-cell technology is it offers driving ranges on a par with many petrol-fuelled cars, but emits only water vapour. The driving experience and performance is similar to most electric vehicles, but crucially hydrogen fuel-cell cars can refill their tanks in minutes compared with the several hours needed for even the best electric vehicles at present.
Anything else?
Audi isn't the only mainstream car manufacturer going down the hydrogen fuel-cell route. Sales of Toyota's Mirai saloon in Japan have already exceeded predicted sales causing the Japanese manufacturer to look towards increasing production in a bid to satisfy demand.