SymPowerco expands fuel cell, hybrid tech with acquisitions

Gardnerville, Nev.-based SymPowerco (PINK:SYMW) said today it plans to acquire majority interests of 70 percent in Joplin, Mo.-based Hoss Motor Sports and Dumas, Ark.-based Highline Hydrogen Hybrids.

Highline Hydrogen Hybrids develops a supplemental hydrogen fuel system for internal combustion engines that reduces emissions, enhances fuel efficiency by as much as 25 percent and increases horsepower by about 10 percent, according to the company. Hoss Motor Sports designs off-road utility vehicles.

The products of both companies are expected to be manufactured at a new facility in Dumas, under the SymPowerco umbrella. The prices of the acquisitions were not disclosed.

SymPowerco develops advanced fuel cell and power delivery systems for the personal transportation and portable power system markets. The acquisitions are expected to offer synergies and marketing opportunities for SymPowerco’s flowing electrolyte direct methanol fuel cell and its hybrid power system technologies.

Other companies working in the hydrogen fuel system market include Exxon Mobil, which partnered in 2007 with QuestAir Technologies, Plug Power, and Israel's Ben-Gurion University of the Negev to develop an on-vehicle hydrogen production system for use in fuel cell-powered trucks (see Exxon Mobil and partners to develop hydrogen fuel system). 

ECOtality, which started out in 1999 as a hydrogen fuel cell developer, continues to work on its Hydrality system, which uses magnesium and water, with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The company has also been expanding into smart charging systems for electric vehicles (see ECOtality racks up third acquisition of the year and ECOtality pulls $15M to build EV charging network in China).

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