KEYOU
KEYOU GmbH is a Munich-based hydrogen powertrain company that converts existing diesel commercial-vehicle engines into zero-emission hydrogen combustion engines, selling 18-ton and 40-ton trucks plus a €0.58/km H2 Mobility-as-a-Service subscription to European heavy-duty fleet operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersUnterschleißheim, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What KEYOU does
KEYOU GmbH is a Munich-based (Arnulfstraße 60) hydrogen powertrain technology company founded in September 2015 by three former BMW engineers. The company develops and commercializes "KEYOU-inside" hydrogen combustion engine (H2-ICE) technology that converts existing diesel engine platforms into zero-emission hydrogen engines, retaining approximately 80% of the original components while upgrading only the subsystems required for hydrogen operation. Its proprietary low-temperature lean-burn combustion process, port fuel injection, and 350 bar hydrogen storage systems underpin two flagship vehicle platforms: an 18-ton distribution truck (7.8L engine, 210 kW, up to 600 km range) and the 40-ton KEYOU HICE.40 long-haul truck (12.8L Mercedes-Benz Actros L 1848 base, 350 kW, up to 650 km range, ADR-certified, EU zero-emission classified with toll exemption through June 2031). Peak engine efficiency reached a claimed 44.5% world record in 2018.
The company serves fleet operators in heavy-duty logistics, chemical/gas transport, and adjacent verticals (including construction equipment via Komatsu) through a hybrid revenue model: direct vehicle sales at €250,000 per truck and an "H2 Mobility as a Service" (H2MaaS) subscription at €0.58/km that bundles the vehicle, maintenance, insurance (HDI Global), and hydrogen fuel from partners such as GP JOULE and Hypion. Commercialization is supported by deep OEM alliances — most notably a June 2026 partnership with Daimler Truck AG, and the BMW-led HyCET consortium with Volvo Trucks, DEUTZ AG, DHL Freight, and Total Energies. Headcount is 51–100 employees, and the company has raised venture funding through Series A (Nagel Maschinen- und Werkzeugfabrik, 2016), Series B consortium (Nagel-Group, ES Kapital, Besto Family Office, EIC, 2022), and a DILO-led Series B tranche in 2024.
KEYOU firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KEYOU
- Legal name
- KEYOU GmbH
- Website
- https://keyou.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- KEYOU GmbH is a Munich-based hydrogen powertrain company that converts existing diesel commercial-vehicle engines into zero-emission hydrogen combustion engines, selling 18-ton and 40-ton trucks plus a €0.58/km H2 Mobility-as-a-Service subscription to European heavy-duty fleet operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KEYOU industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hydrogen Combustion Commercial Vehicles
- NAICS
- Heavy Duty Truck Manufacturing (336120), Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (33631)
- SIC
- Engines & Turbines (3510)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Manufacturing (Gasoline/Diesel) (IMACAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol) (EUABAJAC)
Keywords
Where KEYOU is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Unterschleißheim
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
KEYOU business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Vehicle Sales: Direct sales of hydrogen-powered trucks (KEYOU HICE.40) to fleet operators. Price point at €250,000 per vehicle (funding not included).
- H2 Mobility as a Service (H2MaaS): Pay-per-use rental model bundling vehicle, service & maintenance, insurance, and hydrogen fuel for a monthly fee. Provides complete worry-free hydrogen mobility solution for fleet operators. All-inclusive pricing from €0.58/km.
- Engine Conversion Services: Conversion of existing diesel fleets to hydrogen operation using KEYOU-inside technology. Targets customers wanting to convert their existing fleet assets.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | KEYOU HICE.40 Truck Purchase - €250,000 |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | H2MaaS All-Inclusive - €0.58/km |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | 18-ton Pioneer Fleet - Pay-per-Use |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
KEYOU product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KEYOU develops and commercializes hydrogen combustion engine (H2-ICE) technology that converts existing diesel engines into zero-emission hydrogen engines. The company sells hydrogen-powered commercial trucks (18-ton and 40-ton variants) directly to fleet operators and offers them through an H2 Mobility as a Service (H2MaaS) subscription model that bundles the vehicle, service, maintenance, insurance, and hydrogen fuel supply.
Product overview
KEYOU is a Munich-based hydrogen engine technology company offering a portfolio of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles and conversion technology. The core offering consists of KEYOU-inside technology that converts existing diesel engines into hydrogen combustion engines, deployed in two vehicle platforms: 18-ton distribution trucks (7.8L engine, 210 kW, up to 600 km range) and 40-ton heavy-duty trucks (KEYOU HICE.40, 12.8L engine, 350 kW, up to 650 km range). Both vehicle types are offered through H2 Mobility as a Service (H2MaaS) - a comprehensive pay-per-use rental model that bundles the vehicle, hydrogen fuel, service, maintenance, and insurance. The company also participates in research projects including the HyCET 13L engine development with Volvo and BMW Group, and BayVFP city bus projects.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- KEYOU HICE.40 40-ton hydrogen combustion truck based on Mercedes-Benz Actros 1848 LS chassis with 12.8L KEYOU-inside hydrogen engine delivering 350 kW power and 2,100 Nm torque. Range up to 650 km using 350 bar compressed hydrogen storage, ~20-minute refueling time, ADR hazardous goods certified (Type FL/AT), toll-exempt until June 2031, priced at €250,000.
- KEYOU 18-ton Truck Distribution truck with KEYOU-inside hydrogen engine based on Daimler Actros chassis. Features 7.8L engine with 210 kW power and 1,000 Nm torque, up to 600 km range with 350 bar hydrogen storage. Euro VI compliant, emitting less than 1g CO2/kWh (EU zero-emission certified). First vehicles delivered to pioneering customers since early 2025.
- KEYOU-inside H2 Engine Hydrogen combustion powertrain system available in 7.8L (18-ton truck) and 12.8L (40-ton truck) variants. Features port fuel injection, high power density (27 kW/L), 90% maximum torque available at 900 rpm, and 44.5% peak efficiency through low-temperature lean-burn combustion. Designed for conversion of existing diesel engines to hydrogen operation.
- H2 Mobility as a Service (H2MaaS) Comprehensive hydrogen mobility solution bundling vehicle rental, service & maintenance, insurance, and hydrogen fuel supply for fleet operators in a pay-per-use model. All-inclusive pricing from €0.58/km. Designed to eliminate customer risk and provide a smooth, predictable transition to hydrogen-powered transport.
Quantifiable outcome
- 44.5% peak engine efficiency - world record for hydrogen combustion engines
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use KEYOU
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
KEYOU technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
KEYOU partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and important.
- Daimler Truck AGcoreStrategic partnership for commercializing hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) trucks. Daimler supplies Mercedes-Benz Actros L 1848 tractor units based on its 12.8-litre engine platform to KEYOU, which adapts them with hydrogen combustion technology. First vehicle planned for 2027. The resulting KEYOU HICE.40 truck designed for 40-tonne gross vehicle weight, 350 kW power, and up to 650 km range.
- TALKE Group (GRIMMENER SPEZITRANS)coreFirst customer for KEYOU 40-ton truck. SPEZITRANS, a TALKE Group company based in Grimmen, Germany, ordered two 40-ton hydrogen trucks for integration into fleet starting 2026. Chemical and gas logistics company will operate trucks in northern Germany.
- GP JOULEcorePartnership to offer emission-free hydrogen mobility bundle with green hydrogen at selected locations in Germany. GP JOULE provides hydrogen filling station infrastructure and green hydrogen supply; KEYOU provides 40-ton trucks with hydrogen engines. Addresses the chicken-and-egg problem of hydrogen mobility. Hydrogen stations operational in North Friesland and Bremerhaven; stations under construction in Kiel and Waiblingen.
- EP TranscoreFirst pioneer customer for KEYOU 18-ton hydrogen truck fleet. Logistics company based in Regensburg using the vehicle in the Nuremberg area.
- BMW GroupcoreConsortium leader for HyCET research project (Hydrogen Combustion Engine Trucks). Total project budget €19.5 million, with €11.3 million funded by BMDV. Project aims to develop 13-liter hydrogen engine for 40-ton trucks.
- Volvo Trucks TechnologycoreConsortium partner in HyCET project for hydrogen combustion engine truck development.
- DEUTZ AGcoreConsortium partner in HyCET project.
- DHL Freight GmbHcoreConsortium partner in HyCET project.
- Total Energies Marketing Deutschland GmbHcoreConsortium partner in HyCET project.
- KomatsucorePartnership to develop hydrogen-powered dump truck. Jointly developed world's first 12-cylinder hydrogen engine for a large dump truck with Komatsu.
- Bücker + Essing (Elevion Group)importantStrategic partnership for joint scaling up of hydrogen combustion engines. MoU signed for converting engines to hydrogen operation.
- HypionimportantHydrogen filling station partner for green hydrogen supply in northern Germany. Partner for hydrogen infrastructure supporting KEYOU truck operations.
- Pneuhage Fleet SolutionimportantPartnership for H2MaaS solution. Partner network for service and maintenance.
- LhyfeimportantMoU for development of hydrogen mobility starting in southern Germany. French hydrogen producer specializing in green hydrogen production.
- ENERTRAGimportantCooperation announced at groundbreaking ceremony for electrolysis plant in Industriepark Osterweddingen. Leading energy company for hydrogen production and infrastructure.
- HDI GlobalimportantStrategic cooperation for insurance solutions. Global industrial insurer offering tailored insurance products for KEYOU products.
- Paul GroupimportantStrategic partnership with leading commercial vehicle specialist. Expanded existing partnership for commercial vehicle applications.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
KEYOU competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Cummins Inc. Cummins is a large engine manufacturer actively pursuing hydrogen internal combustion (alongside fuel cells) and battery-electric powertrains for commercial vehicles through its New Power segment. Competitor to KEYOU's hydrogen ICE technology across industrial and heavy-duty applications globally.
- Toyota Motor Corporation: Toyota is the established leader in hydrogen fuel cell passenger vehicles (Mirai) and has expanded into heavy-duty hydrogen trucks through partnerships (e.g., PACCAR/Kenworth). Competes in the broader hydrogen mobility space and brings fully integrated fuel cell stack, storage, and powertrain expertise to commercial vehicle applications.
Others
- Everfuel ASA: Everfuel produces and distributes green hydrogen and develops hydrogen refueling infrastructure primarily in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. Supports the broader hydrogen mobility ecosystem KEYOU depends on, enabling deployment rather than directly competing in vehicle technology.
- Ballard Power Systems: Ballard manufactures PEM fuel cell stacks that power hydrogen trucks from multiple OEMs (Hyzon, others). Functions as an enabling supplier to competitors pursuing fuel cell architectures (the alternative to KEYOU's hydrogen ICE approach), making it thematically adjacent rather than directly competitive.
Emerging players
- Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain): Bosch is developing hydrogen ICE powertrain systems and electric hydrogen fuel cell stacks for commercial vehicles through Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems. Operates in an adjacent technology space to KEYOU and as a Tier-1 supplier to heavy-duty truck OEMs across multiple decarbonization pathways.
Direct peers
- Daimler Truck AG: Daimler Truck, via its Cellcentric joint venture with Volvo, is developing hydrogen fuel cell drive systems for heavy-duty trucks. It is both a critical OEM partner for KEYOU (supplying Mercedes-Benz Actros chassis) and a direct competitor pursuing fuel cell-based zero-emission trucks in the same heavy-duty fleet segment.
- Hyundai Motor Company: Hyundai produces the XCIENT Fuel Cell, the world's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty truck, targeting logistics and freight fleet operators with zero-emission powertrains. Directly addresses the same European and global heavy-duty fleet decarbonization customer base as KEYOU.
- Volvo Trucks: Volvo Trucks is a HyCET consortium partner with KEYOU and is concurrently developing hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks. Targets the same long-haul heavy-duty logistics customers and is co-developing hydrogen combustion technology within the HyCET research project alongside KEYOU.
- Westport Fuel Systems: Westport Fuel Systems develops hydrogen high-pressure direct injection (H2 HPDI) combustion technology for heavy-duty engines, pursuing a hydrogen ICE approach directly parallel to KEYOU's. Competes on the same technology thesis (H2 combustion vs fuel cell) for heavy-duty commercial vehicle decarbonization.
- Hyzon Motors: Hyzon produces hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks primarily for North American and European logistics customers, focusing on Class 8 applications. Targets the same fleet operator customer base with zero-emission heavy-duty trucks, although Hyzon pursues fuel cell rather than hydrogen ICE architecture.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights8 records
Customer concentration
KEYOU social profiles
Digital presenceKEYOU compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
KEYOU financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KEYOU leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
KEYOU funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KEYOU M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KEYOU
What does KEYOU do?
KEYOU develops and commercializes hydrogen combustion engine (H2-ICE) technology that converts existing diesel engines into zero-emission hydrogen engines. The company sells hydrogen-powered commercial trucks (18-ton and 40-ton variants) directly to fleet operators and offers them through an H2 Mobility as a Service (H2MaaS) subscription model that bundles the vehicle, service, maintenance, insurance, and hydrogen fuel supply.
Is KEYOU a public or private company?
KEYOU is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was KEYOU founded?
KEYOU was founded in 2015. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is KEYOU based?
KEYOU is headquartered in Unterschleißheim, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does KEYOU make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Vehicle Sales are the primary driver. The others are H2 Mobility as a Service (H2MaaS) and engine Conversion Services.
Who are KEYOU's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Cummins Inc. and Toyota Motor Corporation. Others are Everfuel ASA and Ballard Power Systems. Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain) is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Daimler Truck AG, Hyundai Motor Company, Volvo Trucks, Westport Fuel Systems and Hyzon Motors.
Does KEYOU have an API?
No public API is recorded for KEYOU.
What industry is KEYOU in?
KEYOU's product category is Hydrogen Combustion Commercial Vehicles. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAHAA, Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Manufacturing (Gasoline/Diesel), with a secondary code of EUABAJAC, Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol). Its NAICS code is 336120 and its SIC code is 3510.