Expertise backed by tradition

Following the start of fuel cell development in 1994, Proton Motor was formed as a spin-off from the Magnet-Motor  – a firm specialising in electrical vehicle propulsion technology – by Dr. Götz Heidelberg in 1998. Magnet-Motor had previously begun developing fuel cells. With the foundation of Proton Motor the business could be developed on an  independent basis. Since 1980, Magnet-Motor has worked in the field of innovative electrical drive technology. In 1994 the company developed ultra-compact and efficient vehicle propulsion components and hybrid systems ready for series production. The design of fuel cells then began in 1994 as the “missing link development” for a fully electric vehicle propulsion platform. The development of fuel cell technology therefore, always focused on entire systems and hybrid technology, representing the key requirements for competitive fuel cell drive systems. This comprehensive expertise was transferred in full in 1998 to the new Company, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH.

Over the course of numerous pilot projects, Proton Motor has developed its expertise and very quickly achieved a well earned recognition within in the industry. Back in 1999, for example, the Company equipped a vehicle for a major automobile supplier with a fuel cell system.
Since this time, Proton Motor has equipped a whole raft of vehicles with its fuel cell hybrid systems, including several buses and forklift trucks. The diversity of applications illustrates the versatility of Proton Motor’s hybrid technology. In 2002, Proton Motor was awarded the Bavarian Energy Award.

Proton Motor has been working with leading OEMs such as Volvo, Skoda, L-3 Communications and Linde for many years. Since 2000, the Volvo Group has been a minority shareholder of Proton Motor.

Further projects, including stationary applications, have enabled the Proton Motor team to develop even greater expertise. Proton Motor now has a series production facility that is set to be expanded in the next few years.