What Fuel Cell Systems does

Fuel Cell Systems Ltd. (FCSL) is a UK-based hydrogen and fuel cell engineering company founded in 2010 in Hungerford, West Berkshire. The company designs, manufactures, and integrates hydrogen refuelling systems for commercial fleets, aviation ground operations, and trial deployments, alongside distributing EFOY Direct Methanol Fuel Cells manufactured by SFC Energy AG for off-grid power applications. Its core hydrogen refuelling product portfolio comprises HyQube (modular, redeployable unit deployable in under a day), HyFleet (factory-built system for large commercial fleets with static and modular configurations), HyTruck (mobile refueller), HyFlow (dual-pressure 350/700 bar dispenser), and HyPro (on-site electrolyser for green hydrogen production). The EFOY direct methanol fuel cell line provides quiet, low-emission power for remote monitoring, surveillance, rail signalling, and marine applications.

FCSL operates a project-based hardware sales model supplemented by service and maintenance contracts, targeting enterprise and government customers including fleet operators, water utilities, airport operators, Network Rail, and local authorities. Pricing is bespoke and quote-driven per project, with the Hyer Power contract at £825,500 representing a typical mid-sized engagement. Distribution includes a channel partnership with Fischer Panda UK for marine-sector EFOY products, and the company sells directly to enterprise customers through field sales and showcases at major industry events including Hannover Messe, Cenex Expo, and the World Hydrogen Summit.

In January 2024, FCSL became part of D2Zero, a decarbonisation platform formed by private equity firm SCF Partners combining five UK energy companies with combined revenues exceeding £500 million and 4,000 employees. The same month, Lee Juby was appointed CEO, succeeding Tom Chicken who moved to the CTO role. In January 2025, the company relocated its engineering and operations teams to a new purpose-built facility at Smitham Bridge, Hungerford, doubling its physical footprint. The company has received industry recognition including the 2025 GREENFLEET Alternative Fuels Provider of the Year award, the 2024 Large Aviation Innovation Award for Project Acorn, and the 2024 Hydrogen UK Green Project Award.

Name

Fuel Cell Systems

Legal name

Fuel Cell Systems Ltd.

Website

https://fuelcellsystems.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fuel Cell Systems is a UK hydrogen and fuel cell engineering company that designs and manufactures modular hydrogen refuelling systems (HyQube, HyFleet, HyTruck, HyFlow, HyPro) and distributes EFOY direct methanol fuel cells for off-grid power, serving fleet operators, airports, rail, water utilities, and government clients across the UK and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure

NAICS

Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing (333912), Industrial Gas Manufacturing (325120)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510), Motors & Generators (3621)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydrogen Energy Storage & Power-to-X Equipment (electrolyzers, storage, fuel cell systems) (IMAGAHAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fuel Cell Distributed Generation (Hydrogen/Natural Gas SOFC/PEM) (EUACALAK), Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol) (EUABAJAC)

Keywords

• Hydrogen refuelling systems
• Fuel cell products
• Off-grid power solutions
• Hydrogen energy infrastructure
• Direct methanol fuel cells

Headquarters

HQ city

Hungerford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hydrogen Refuelling Equipment Sales: Sale of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure including HyFleet, HyQube, HyFlow, and HyTruck systems. Sales are typically project-based and tied to specific contracts (e.g., HyHAUL M4 corridor, Oxfordshire County Council, airport trials). Equipment is factory-built and designed for both static permanent installation and modular/redeployable use.
2. Fuel Cell Product Sales: Sale and distribution of EFOY Direct Methanol Fuel Cells sourced from SFC Energy AG. Products include EFOY, EFOY Pro, and EFOY Pro 2800 units, methanol fuel cartridges (5L, 10L, 28L, 60L), enclosures, and accessories. Used for off-grid power across CCTV, environmental monitoring, marine, and rail applications.
3. Service & Maintenance: Ongoing service and maintenance contracts for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and fuel cell systems. Includes methanol fuel supply, system monitoring (Cloud-based reporting), and periodic maintenance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fuel Cell Systems designs, manufactures, and deploys hydrogen refuelling infrastructure (HyFleet, HyQube, HyTruck, HyFlow, HyPro) and distributes EFOY Direct Methanol Fuel Cells for off-grid power applications. The company serves fleet operators, government bodies, airports, water utilities, rail networks, and marine customers with end-to-end solutions for hydrogen production, storage, compression, and dispensing, as well as clean quiet off-grid power.

Product overview

Fuel Cell Systems is a UK-based hydrogen energy company offering two main product lines: hydrogen refuelling systems (HyQube, HyFleet, HyTruck, HyFlow, HyPro) and fuel cell power solutions (EFOY Direct Methanol Fuel Cells). The hydrogen refuelling portfolio ranges from portable modular units for trials to large-scale fleet systems for commercial operations. The EFOY fuel cell line provides off-grid power for monitoring, surveillance, and infrastructure applications. All products are designed and manufactured at their West Berkshire facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HyQube: Modular, scalable, and redeployable hydrogen refuelling system deployed across UK and Europe since 2019
• HyFleet
• HyFlow
• HyTruck
• HyPro
• EFOY

Products and services

• HyQube Modular Hydrogen Refuelling System Modular, scalable, and redeployable hydrogen refuelling unit suitable for trials, demonstrations, and small fleet deployments. Supports hydrogen-powered vehicles including cars, vans, buses, trains, and aircraft, and can be set up on site ready for use in under a day.
• HyFleet Hydrogen Refuelling System UK factory-built, series production hydrogen refuelling system for large commercial fleets. Provides on-site hydrogen storage, compression, and dispensing for high-throughput commercial fleet operations, available in static and modular configurations.
• HyTruck Mobile Hydrogen Refueller Mobile hydrogen refuelling truck providing on-site hydrogen dispensing capabilities for events, vehicle demonstrations, and temporary installations.
• HyFlow Dual-Pressure Hydrogen Dispenser High-flow hydrogen dispenser offering dual-pressure refuelling capability at both 350 and 700 bar, accommodating a wide range of hydrogen-powered vehicles from passenger cars to commercial trucks.
• HyPro Electrolyser System On-site green hydrogen generation system using an electrolyser, engineered for efficient and reliable hydrogen production. Used in the Hyer Power project to provide green hydrogen production.
• EFOY Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC) providing clean, quiet, reliable off-grid power. Available in various power outputs and sizes including EFOY, EFOY Pro, and EFOY ProCube models including EFOY Pro 2800. Ideal for CCTV towers, environmental monitoring, water monitoring, traffic infrastructure, and marine applications.
• Methanol Fuel Cartridges Fuel cartridges for EFOY fuel cells, available in 5L, 10L, 28L, and 60L sizes, with a 3-year use-by date from bottling.
• Service and Maintenance Ongoing service and maintenance contracts for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and EFOY fuel cell systems, including methanol fuel supply, cloud-based system monitoring, and periodic maintenance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Eliminated need for costly winter site visits for Wessex Water remote monitoring, saving over £3,000 in maintenance per site
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• D2Zero (formed by SCF Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCSL is one of five portfolio companies brought together by SCF Partners to form D2Zero, a decarbonisation and clean energy solutions platform with combined revenues exceeding £500 million and 4,000 employees. D2Zero combines Score Group, Hydrasun, Fuel Cell Systems, Powerstar, and Global E&C into a unified decarbonisation platform led by CEO Bob Drummond.
• Fischer Panda UKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFischer Panda UK distributes EFOY Direct Methanol Fuel Cells for marine applications. Fischer Panda leverages its extensive expertise in marine power systems to integrate EFOY fuel cells into boats, yachts, and off-grid marine applications. Fischer Panda is responsible for distribution and support ensuring smooth integration for marine customers.
• SFC Energy AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationSFC Energy AG is the manufacturer of EFOY fuel cells. FCSL has been an important distributor and project developer for SFC Energy for more than 15 years, ordering over EUR 1 million worth of EFOY fuel cells and accessories in 2021 alone. FCSL integrates and distributes EFOY products across the UK market.
• HyHAUL MobilityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCSL appointed official hydrogen refuelling infrastructure partner for the HyHAUL project, the UK's flagship hydrogen-powered HGV initiative. FCSL is deploying HyFleet refuelling systems along the M4 corridor at Reading and Avonmouth. HyHAUL is funded by the UK Government through the £200m DfT Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, aiming to deploy 30 hydrogen HGVs by 2026.
• Cranfield University / Cranfield Aerospace SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCranfield University leads academic studies associated with hydrogen aviation trials. FCSL collaborated with Cranfield to develop an electric hydrogen refuelling truck for airport applications. Cranfield conducted comprehensive studies of Exeter Airport's ground handling operations for hydrogen trials. Also collaborated on Project Acorn at Bristol Airport.
• Protium Green SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationProtium supplies green hydrogen for FCSL's refuelling operations at various sites including Goodwood Festival of Speed, Exeter Airport, and South Wales trials. Hydrogen sourced from Protium's Pioneer 1 facility. FCSL and Protium have collaborated to provide a complete green hydrogen solution from production (electrolysis) through to dispensing.
• easyJetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnereasyJet led Project Acorn, the first airside hydrogen refuelling trial at Bristol Airport. FCSL's HyQube 500 refuelled baggage tractors serving easyJet aircraft as part of daily operations, demonstrating hydrogen's feasibility for aviation ground operations.
• TUIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTUI participated in the hydrogen ground support equipment trial at Exeter Airport, where a Boeing 737 passenger aircraft completed a turnaround using hydrogen-powered ground support equipment refuelled by FCSL's HyQube. This was a UK first for commercial air transport operational aircraft using multiple hydrogen-powered equipment items simultaneously.
• ULEMCo LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerULEMCo leads the £8m Hyer Power project (funded by APC and Innovate UK) for hydrogen fuel-cell-powered emergency and heavy-duty vehicles. FCSL provides hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for hydrogen-powered fire engine, ambulance, and highways vehicle trials under this project with Oxfordshire County Council.
• First HydrogenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Hydrogen collaborated with Wales & West Utilities (WWU) and hydrogen innovators including FCSL and Protium to establish a hydrogen ecosystem for trials of hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in South Wales, operating from WWU's Swansea Depot.
• Wales & West Utilities (WWU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWU hosted hydrogen FCEV trials from its Swansea Depot as part of a South Wales hydrogen ecosystem project with First Hydrogen and FCSL's HyQube refueller. WWU operates a fleet of 1,300 vehicles across Wales and Southwest England, providing a real-world trial environment.
• Tees Valley Combined AuthorityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTees Valley Combined Authority, led by Mayor Ben Houchen, provided £286k in hydrogen hub transport funding for the HyQube installation at Redcar & Cleveland College, making it the first UK college to host a fully operational modular hydrogen refuelling unit on site.
• BoeingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoeing supported the Exeter Airport hydrogen ground support equipment trial as part of the Civil Aviation Authority Hydrogen Challenge Programme, contributing to the UK's Jet Zero ambitions.
• Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAA's Hydrogen Challenge (funded through the Regulators' Pioneer Fund overseen by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) supports hydrogen aviation trials including Project Acorn and the Exeter Airport trial. FCSL participates in these trials to help shape future safety and regulatory frameworks for airside hydrogen handling.
• DHL Supply ChainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHL Supply Chain was a partner in Project Acorn at Bristol Airport, contributing to the first airside hydrogen refuelling trial demonstrating hydrogen viability for aviation logistics operations.
• Connected Places Catapult / Hydrogen Innovation InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnected Places Catapult and the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative supported Project Acorn, which won the Large Aviation Innovation Award 2024, and are helping accelerate hydrogen adoption in transport and aviation sectors.
• Extreme H (FIA Hydrogen-Powered Motorsport Championship)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCSL is the chosen hydrogen refuelling partner at the Extreme H world championship events, including the debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025 where the Pioneer 25 hydrogen race car was refuelled using FCSL's HyQube system. This marks the world's first hydrogen-powered motorsport championship.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ITM Power: UK-based manufacturer of PEM electrolysers and hydrogen refuelling stations. Most direct UK competitor to FCSL's HyPro electrolyser and HyFleet/HyQube refuelling systems, targeting the same transport and industrial hydrogen customers with larger-scale balance sheet.
• Nel ASA: Norwegian global provider of hydrogen production (electrolyser) and refuelling solutions including H2Station modules. Closest international comparable to FCSL's full-stack HyPro + HyFleet + HyFlow portfolio, competing for UK and European fleet contracts.
• Plug Power: US-based hydrogen fuel cell systems and refuelling infrastructure provider serving material handling, on-road mobility, and stationary power. Comparable in offering integrated hydrogen production, storage, and dispensing solutions, though at materially larger scale.
• HRS (Hydrogen Refueling Solutions): French designer and manufacturer of hydrogen refuelling stations for mobility. Direct competitor in the European modular hydrogen refuelling market that FCSL has begun targeting via Hannover Messe and World Hydrogen Summit participation.

Broad incumbents

• SFC Energy AG: German manufacturer of EFOY Direct Methanol Fuel Cells and hydrogen fuel cell products. Key supplier to FCSL for over 15 years, but also a broader incumbent in off-grid fuel cell power that competes for adjacent end-customer relationships in rail, security, and oil & gas.
• Ballard Power Systems: Canadian fuel cell manufacturer supplying PEM fuel cell stacks for buses, trucks, trains, and marine applications. Comparable in underlying fuel cell technology serving overlapping mobility and off-grid use cases, with a much larger global installed base.
• Air Products: Global industrial gases major with the world's largest liquid hydrogen production capacity and a growing hydrogen refuelling footprint. Indirect incumbent competing for large-scale hydrogen supply and refuelling infrastructure opportunities across Europe and the UK.

Emerging players

• ULEMCo: UK developer of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (vans, HGVs, emergency vehicles) and project lead for Hyer Power. Acts as both a hydrogen vehicle partner of FCSL and an emerging adjacent player whose commercial vehicle rollouts drive demand for FCSL's HyFleet/HyQube infrastructure.
• First Hydrogen: UK-based emerging hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and ecosystem operator. Direct collaboration partner with FCSL on the South Wales hydrogen FCEV trials using HyQube, but also a potential competitor for hydrogen mobility project pipelines in the UK.
• Protium Green Solutions: UK green hydrogen producer supplying green H2 for FCSL's refuelling deployments at Goodwood, Exeter Airport and South Wales trials. Adjacent emerging player in the UK hydrogen value chain, currently a partner but a potential source of vertical integration or competitive overlap at production sites.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FuelCellSystems
• Facebookfacebook.com/FuelCellSystems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fuel-cell-systems-ltd-

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fuel Cell Systems