Pepper motion
Pepper motion is a German Tier 1 technology supplier that designs modular electrification kits for commercial vehicles, supplying OEMs, retrofitters, and fleet operators with battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell drive systems, proprietary VCU software, and charging management solutions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersDenkendorf, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Pepper motion does
Pepper motion GmbH is a Germany-based Tier 1 technology supplier that designs modular electrification kits for commercial vehicles, including buses, trucks, and special-purpose vehicles. The company's core product portfolio centers on the "pepper Kit" and "etrofit Kit" modular drive systems, which integrate battery packs (scalable from 120 kWh to over 700 kWh), electric motors, ancillary components, proprietary VCU (Vehicle Control Unit) software developed to ISO 26262 functional safety, and vehicle interfaces. The kit architecture is technology-neutral, supporting both battery-electric (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) drive systems, the latter featuring Toyota Fuel Cell Module integration.
The company operates an asset-light "digital OEM" model without proprietary warehousing or vehicle manufacturing, instead supplying OEMs, retrofitters, and special vehicle builders through direct enterprise sales and a network of certified conversion partners and channel resellers across France, Italy, and Poland. Revenue is generated through three streams: Tier 1 electrification kit hardware sales, software licensing for VCU and charging management, and customized technology development contracts. The company maintains headquarters in Denkendorf (Bavaria), offices in Garching and Paderborn (battery development), and a wholly-owned software subsidiary in Vienna (pepper motion Austria GmbH), with approximately 100 employees.
In May 2023, pepper restructured to exit end-customer sales and become a pure technology supplier. The same year, the company announced a ~$600 million joint investment with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, India, for a vertically integrated production facility targeting 50,000+ electric vehicles per year. In January 2026, Haller Group (Andreas Haller Holding GmbH) acquired pepper and integrated it alongside Quantron into a unified Fleet-Transformation-as-a-Service ecosystem. The company has secured multiple industry awards (German Mobility Prize 2018, Bavarian State Foundation Environmental Award 2022, European Transport Prize for Sustainability 2022) and reference deployments including 25 hydrogen trucks built with Paul Nutzfahrzeuge on the Mercedes-Benz Atego platform.
Pepper motion firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pepper motion
- Legal name
- pepper motion GmbH
- Website
- https://peppermotion.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Pepper motion is a German Tier 1 technology supplier that designs modular electrification kits for commercial vehicles, supplying OEMs, retrofitters, and fleet operators with battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell drive systems, proprietary VCU software, and charging management solutions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pepper motion industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Vehicle Electrification Technology
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (33632), Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing (33635), Battery Manufacturing (33591)
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Motors & Generators (3621)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Truck & Commercial Vehicle Electrification Manufacturing (eAxles/Battery Packs/Fuel Cells) (IMACABAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- EV Retrofit & Electrification Conversions (Fleet/Commercial) (TLAKAMAK), Battery Pack & Module Manufacturing (EV) (IMACACAA), Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Manufacturing (IMACACAJ), EV Charging Equipment Installation & Commissioning (AC/DC, Depot/Fleet) (TLAKAMAE)
Keywords
Where Pepper motion is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denkendorf
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Pepper motion 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
Revenue model
- Tier 1 Electrification Kit Sales: Sale of complete electrification kits to OEMs and manufacturers for integration into new vehicle production or for retrofitting existing vehicles. Includes battery, electric motor, control unit, and software.
- Software Licensing and Services: VCU system architecture software, charging management software, and related software services sold to manufacturers, retrofitters, and special vehicle builders.
- Technology Development Contracts: Development contracts for customizing drive systems to specific vehicle types and OEM requirements.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Pepper motion product offering
Product offeringCore offering
pepper motion develops and sells modular electrification kits (the "pepper Kit") that convert diesel commercial vehicles—buses, trucks and special-purpose vehicles—into zero-emission battery-electric (BEV) or hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) drive systems. The kit bundles batteries, electric motor, ancillary components, proprietary VCU software (ISO 26262 compliant), and vehicle interface; battery capacity scales from 120 kWh to over 700 kWh. The company sells Tier 1 to OEMs, retrofitters and special vehicle builders, complemented by charging management software and depot hardware.
Product overview
Pepper Motion is a technology supplier for zero-emission drive systems in commercial vehicles, operating as a 'digital OEM' (without its own warehousing and manufacturing). The core product portfolio centers on the pepper Kit (modular electrification kit) which includes battery-electric (BEV) and fuel cell (FCEV/hydrogen) drive systems, proprietary VCU software, and battery solutions scalable from 120 kWh to over 700 kWh. The company offers charging infrastructure products (44 kW mobile, 75 kW stationary, 150 kW quick charging stations) and charging management software including depot management. As a Tier 1 supplier, pepper provides complete electrification kits for OEMs, retrofitters, and special vehicle builders. The product ecosystem supports both retrofitting of existing diesel vehicles and integration into new vehicle builds, with applications for buses, trucks (including 7.5-ton BAX), and special vehicles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- etrofit Kit: Award-winning electrification kit for converting diesel buses, trucks, and special vehicles to zero-emission electric vehicles in series production quality
- pepper Kit
Products and services
- pepper Kit (Electrification Kit) Modular, fully validated electrification kit for converting diesel buses, trucks, and special vehicles to zero-emission battery-electric (BEV) or hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) drivetrains. Includes battery pack, electric motor, ancillary components, vehicle control unit with ISO 26262-compliant software, and vehicle interface. Scalable battery capacity from 120 kWh to 240, 360, or 700+ kWh net. Sold to OEMs, retrofitters, and special vehicle builders.
- Battery-Electric Drive System (BEV) Battery-powered electric drive system available in series quality with scalable battery capacity from 120 kWh to 240, 360, or over 700 kWh net depending on application. Supports vehicles including Mercedes-Benz Actros MP5, MP3, and Citaro C2.
- Fuel Cell Drive System (FCEV) Hydrogen fuel cell powertrain for extended range commercial vehicle applications, featuring integration with the Toyota Fuel Cell Module. Used in Mercedes-Benz Atego trucks; 25 hydrogen trucks delivered in 2023 — the largest FCEV fleet produced in Germany to date.
- VCU (Vehicle Control Unit) System Architecture Software Proprietary vehicle control unit software platform serving as the technological heart of pepper drive systems, developed in accordance with ISO 26262 functional safety standards. Licensed/sold to manufacturers, retrofitters, and special vehicle builders.
- Charging Management Solutions Comprehensive charging infrastructure and management software covering load priority management, grid integration, peak shaving, and depot management. Includes Local Smart Grid solutions, controlled loads, and integration with stationary battery storage systems, compliant with ISO 15118-2 and ISO 15118-20 protocols.
- Mobile Charging Station 44 kW Portable 44 kW charging station for flexible deployment supporting depot and opportunity charging scenarios.
- Stationary Charging Station 75 kW Fixed 75 kW charging infrastructure for fleet depots with moderate power requirements.
- Quick Charging Station 150 kW High-power 150 kW charging station enabling rapid opportunity charging during operations, including pantograph-based charging support.
- Lean Depot Management Pre-conceived plug-and-play depot component for smooth fleet loading; integrates into depot system landscape via ISO 15118-2 and ISO 15118-20 protocols.
Quantifiable outcome
- Retrofitting completed in approximately 4-6 weeks in OEM quality
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Pepper motion
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Pepper motion technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Pepper motion partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- QuantroncoreBeing integrated with pepper into Haller Group ecosystem as part of Fleet-Transformation-as-a-Service offering, combining zero-emission vehicles and retrofit solutions.
- Government of Andhra Pradesh (India)coreApproved investment project with state government for building fully integrated vertical production facility for conversion and new vehicle construction including battery production up to 20 GWh.
- Toyota Tsusho Nexty Electronics Europe GmbHcoreComprehensive supplier contract for Toyota Fuel Cell Module for hydrogen drive systems. pepper integrates this key component into its complete electrification kit for fuel cell vehicles.
- BPW Bergische AchsenfabrikcoreStrategic partnership for 7.5-ton electric truck 'BAX' that complements pepper product portfolio. BPW is mobility and system partner of vehicle operators and manufacturers.
- Impact Clean Power TechnologycoreSupply contract for battery systems, expanding pepper's battery supplier base for electrification kits.
- Sono MotorssupportingTrial cooperation for solar retrofit solution for E-Buses, integrating Sono Motors solar technology with pepper electrification.
- Škoda GroupcoreMemorandum of Understanding for electrifying diesel buses using pepper technology. Škoda Group, a Czech manufacturer of local public transport, opted for pepper technology.
- driveblockssupportingDevelopment partnership for self-driving (autonomous) truck prototype using pepper's electric drive system.
- REV MobilitiescoreMarket entry partnership in France for commercialization of pepper's electrification solutions for commercial vehicles.
- TWAICEsupportingPartnership for full battery transparency in retrofitted commercial vehicles, providing battery analytics and predictive software.
- chargebytesupportingTechnology partner for charging infrastructure development in India market entry, providing charging management solutions.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Pepper motion competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Quantron: German commercial vehicle electrification specialist producing zero-emission trucks and buses; now sister company within Haller Group's Fleet-Transformation-as-a-Service ecosystem alongside Pepper. Closest direct comparable given shared parent, customer base, and product overlap.
- Lion Electric: Canadian manufacturer of all-electric medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses targeting fleet operators. Directly comparable business model to Pepper's BEV offerings for commercial fleets in North America.
- Xos Trucks: US-based manufacturer of electric Class 5-8 commercial vehicles targeting last-mile delivery and vocational fleets. Comparable in commercial vehicle electrification focus and fleet-customer orientation.
- GreenPower Motor Company: Canadian designer and manufacturer of all-electric transit buses, school buses, and delivery vehicles sold to fleet operators. Overlaps with Pepper's bus and truck electrification portfolio, particularly for zero-emission fleet conversions.
- Solaris Bus & Coach: Polish electric bus manufacturer (part of CAF Group) producing zero-emission city buses for European operators. Directly overlaps with Pepper's bus electrification customer base and Škoda-adjacent European municipal market.
Broad incumbents
- Daimler Truck AG: Global OEM of Mercedes-Benz trucks and buses actively transitioning to battery-electric and hydrogen platforms (e.g., eActros, eCitaro). Competes with Pepper at the OEM level but also serves as a vehicle platform donor for Pepper's retrofit and Tier-1 kit business.
- Cummins Inc. Global powertrain incumbent now investing heavily in zero-emission commercial vehicle components including batteries, fuel cells, and electric drivetrains. Broad incumbent in adjacent powertrain space where Pepper competes.
- ZF Friedrichshafen: Major Tier-1 automotive supplier with commercial vehicle driveline and e-mobility product lines including CeTrax electric drives. Represents the established Tier-1 supplier set against which Pepper's Tier-1 ambitions must compete.
- NFI Group / New Flyer: North America's largest transit bus manufacturer (New Flyer, MCI) with growing electric and hydrogen bus portfolio. Comparable incumbent addressing the same municipal and intercity fleet decarbonization demand that Pepper targets in Europe.
Emerging players
- Volta Trucks: European electric truck start-up focused on urban distribution vehicles (16-19 tonne class); entered administration in 2023 but historically a direct peer in the European commercial EV space. Included for historical comparability of business model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Pepper motion social profiles
Digital presencePepper motion compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Pepper motion financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pepper motion leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Pepper motion subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Pepper motion funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pepper motion 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 Pepper motion
What does Pepper motion do?
pepper motion develops and sells modular electrification kits (the "pepper Kit") that convert diesel commercial vehicles—buses, trucks and special-purpose vehicles—into zero-emission battery-electric (BEV) or hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) drive systems. The kit bundles batteries, electric motor, ancillary components, proprietary VCU software (ISO 26262 compliant), and vehicle interface; battery capacity scales from 120 kWh to over 700 kWh. The company sells Tier 1 to OEMs, retrofitters and special vehicle builders, complemented by charging management software and depot hardware.
Is Pepper motion a public or private company?
Pepper motion is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Pepper motion founded?
Pepper motion was founded in 2021. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Pepper motion based?
Pepper motion is headquartered in Denkendorf, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Pepper motion make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tier 1 Electrification Kit Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licensing and Services and technology Development Contracts.
Who are Pepper motion's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Quantron, Lion Electric, Xos Trucks, GreenPower Motor Company and Solaris Bus & Coach. Broad incumbents are Daimler Truck AG, Cummins Inc., ZF Friedrichshafen and NFI Group / New Flyer. Volta Trucks is listed as an emerging player.
Does Pepper motion have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pepper motion.
What industry is Pepper motion in?
Pepper motion's product category is Commercial Vehicle Electrification Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACABAK, Truck & Commercial Vehicle Electrification Manufacturing (eAxles/Battery Packs/Fuel Cells), with a secondary code of TLAKAMAK, EV Retrofit & Electrification Conversions (Fleet/Commercial). Its NAICS code is 33632 and its SIC code is 3600.