Range of up to 2,000 km - Hydrogen comeback? Volkswagen, dynaCERT, NEL

Volkswagen: Is the super fuel cell coming?

The very fact that Volkswagen has not put hydrogen research on the back burner proves that hydrogen technology still has potential. The new patent for a ceramic membrane in fuel cells is supposed to make lithium redundant and also manage without platinum. That alone should make new fuel cells manufactured using this process cheaper. Kraftwerk Tubes GmbH, which holds the patent together with Volkswagen, wants to see series-production vehicles with the technology by 2026 and considers collaborations with several manufacturers possible. However, it is unclear whether Volkswagen will soon be offering hydrogen cars. The Company points out that new patents do not necessarily have to lead to series production.

In any case, it is more likely that other manufacturers will bring such models onto the market. Kraftwerk Tubes also cooperates with the Asian luxury manufacturer Infiniti, which belongs to Nissan. Nissan itself already has hydrogen cars on offer. However, the door for hydrogen vehicles is not entirely closed at Volkswagen either. The Company reserves the right to add such models to its product range, possibly in the second half of the decade. The planned MPE vehicle platform is to be equipped with both classic electric motors and fuel cells.

dynaCERT: Customers rely on this hydrogen solution

Technological innovations around hydrogen nevertheless have a signal effect, from which companies such as NEL, which is active in the production, storage and distribution of hydrogen, profit. The range of applications for hydrogen could become broader and broader in the coming years - for an all-round supplier like NEL, this is a good prospect. The fact that many industries have not yet committed to one technology is also positive for companies like dynaCERT. The Canadians offer conversion kits for heavy diesel engines. The patented HydraGEN technology ensures that a small amount of hydrogen is added to the classic diesel mixture. The end result is lower fuel consumption and CO2 savings. While sales of the solution for large fleet operators, such as transport companies, have been relatively slow in recent years, the Company has adapted its technology and is focusing on heavy machinery.

Here, dynaCERT has struck a chord and was already able to book numerous orders last year, for example, from the mining industry. The good thing about dynaCERT's technology is that the Company documents and reports CO2 savings. Customers can then use these savings and are supposed to receive CO2 certificates in return. The certification process for dynaCERT is currently underway. If this hurdle is cleared, customers who have already bought the HydraGEN technology will have another argument in their favour. In recent years, the dynaCERT share price has followed the typical course of a growth stock - interrupted by steep rises, the price has crumbled. If the Company continues its operational successes or succeeds in obtaining certification for the generation of CO2 certificates, the share could be in for a new breakout. Investors with a knack for such stocks should keep dynaCERT on their radar.

While dynaCERT is already selling its hydrogen solution to customers, hydrogen in cars remains an interesting thought experiment for most manufacturers. At the moment, however, VW's share price does not give rise to any hydrogen fantasy. However, the overall situation is favourable for "full-service providers" like NEL. Hydrogen remains an issue - also in individual transport. In addition to solution providers for transitional technology, such as dynaCERT, full-service hydrogen suppliers offer investors a promising perspective.