PowerTap
PowerTap develops modular, on-site hydrogen production and fueling stations using steam methane reforming with carbon capture, serving truck OEMs, fleet operators, data center operators, and existing gas station hosts across North America with a California focus.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersAliso Viejo, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PowerTap does
PowerTap is a private hydrogen technology company headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, formed following its August 2020 acquisition of the hydrogen station intellectual property portfolio from Nuvera Fuel Cells. The company designs and develops modular, on-site hydrogen production and fueling stations that use Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) integrated with Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). Its current GEN-3 platform delivers a production capacity of 1,250 kg/day—approximately 25 times the throughput of its GEN-2 predecessor—and is protected by a portfolio of more than 20 patents covering five of the ten main system components. PowerTap serves heavy-duty truck OEMs (including Hyundai, Toyota, and Nikola), transit agencies (AC Transit and SunLine Transit), data center operators, and existing gas station and truck stop hosts across North America.
The business model combines hydrogen offtake revenue with policy-driven LCFS credit monetization in California. At a CAPEX of approximately $3.5 million per station, PowerTap projects on-site production costs of approximately $3.50/kg, compared to roughly $11.48/kg for delivered offsite hydrogen. Each station is modeled to generate approximately $2,153,500 in annual LCFS credit revenue before hydrogen is sold, supported by the system's negative carbon intensity profile. PowerTap deploys via a station host partnership model with revenue sharing, co-locating with existing fueling infrastructure to shorten development timelines. The 14 GEN-2 stations currently in operation are owned and operated by third parties (not PowerTap), and the company is positioned to scale GEN-3 deployments with direct station ownership and operation.
Strategically, PowerTap is anchored in California, where LCFS economics are strongest, and is extending its focus to long-haul trucking corridors across North America. The company has also entered the data center vertical for baseload and backup power, citing a 241 GW pipeline opportunity. The management team includes CEO Salim Rahemtulla, CFO Raghu Kilambi, Acting CTO Pinakin Patel, Business Development lead Bill O'Banion, and Chairman Byron Berry, and PowerTap holds a board seat on the California Hydrogen Business Council (CHBC).
PowerTap firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PowerTap
- Legal name
- PowerTap
- Website
- https://powertapfuels.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- PowerTap develops modular, on-site hydrogen production and fueling stations using steam methane reforming with carbon capture, serving truck OEMs, fleet operators, data center operators, and existing gas station hosts across North America with a California focus.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PowerTap industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing (333912), Biomass Electric Power Generation (221117)
- SIC
- Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment (3533), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol) (EUABAJAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Refinery Hydrogen & Utilities Systems (SMR/ATR, Steam, Power, Water) (EUALAGAI), Fuel Cell Distributed Generation (Hydrogen/Natural Gas SOFC/PEM) (EUACALAK), Hydrogen Production Supply & Offtake (Green/Blue H2) for Utility Blending (EUAJAJAF), Hydrogen CHP (Fuel Cell & H2-Ready Turbines) (EUACAKAF)
Keywords
Where PowerTap is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aliso Viejo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
PowerTap business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hydrogen Fuel Sales: Direct sales of hydrogen fuel to vehicle operators (trucks, buses, cars) at PowerTap fueling stations. Revenue share model with host fueling station operators.
- California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Carbon Credits: Participation in California LCFS carbon credit program generating credits immediately upon station opening, providing cash flow prior to increased hydrogen fuel demand.
- Hydrogen Fueling Station Sales/Deployment: CAPEX of $3.5M per station with financing structure of $2.5M loan and $1M equity. Revenue share with fuel station hosts in return for hosting hydrogen fueling stations.
- Technology Licensing: PowerTap holds 20+ issued patents focusing on key technology in fabrication and reaction catalysts. Company works with suppliers in exclusive capacity for raw components and feedstock.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | California LCFS Carbon Credits: ~$2,153,500 estimated HRI credits prior to selling any hydrogen |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hydrogen Fuel Production Cost: ~$3.50/kg (onsite SMR using RNG) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
PowerTap product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PowerTap designs, manufactures, and deploys modular on-site hydrogen fueling stations based on its patented GEN-3 platform, which uses Steam Methane Reforming with Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) to produce 1,250 kg/day of hydrogen. The stations are co-located at existing gas/truck/charging stations, generate revenue through hydrogen fuel sales and California LCFS carbon credits, and serve truck OEMs, fleet operators, transit agencies, and data center/energy providers.
Product overview
PowerTap offers a unified hydrogen fueling technology platform anchored by its GEN-3 system, which represents a significant upgrade from the legacy GEN-2 technology. The GEN-3 platform uses Steam Methane Reforming with carbon capture to produce low-cost, sustainable hydrogen on-site at modular stations co-located with existing fueling infrastructure. These hydrogen fueling stations generate revenue through hydrogen fuel sales and California LCFS carbon credits. The product portfolio spans from technology IP (GEN-2/GEN-3) to complete station deployment with carbon credit monetization.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PowerTap GEN-3 Hydrogen Fueling Platform Current generation hydrogen fueling platform using Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) with Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS). Produces 1,250 kg/day of hydrogen on-site, operates on Renewable Natural Gas (RAT) feedstock, has a footprint under 1,000 sq ft, captures 85% of CO2 emissions, and includes integrated modules for desulfurization, steam methane reforming, steam shift reaction, pressure swing absorption, and active storage capable of delivering >875 bars of output continuously.
- PowerTap GEN-2 Hydrogen Fueling Technology Previous generation hydrogen fueling technology with 50 kg/day production capacity. 14 operating stations built on this technology were manufactured and sold by Nuvera Fuel Cells to third parties and are not owned or operated by PowerTap.
- Modular Hydrogen Fueling Stations Modular hydrogen fueling stations designed for co-location with existing gas, truck, and battery electric charging infrastructure. Stations participate in the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Carbon Credit Program, generating carbon credits upon opening.
- California LCFS Carbon Credits Carbon credit program participation enabling hydrogen fueling station operators to generate carbon credits through the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard program, providing cash flow prior to increased hydrogen fuel demand.
Quantifiable outcome
- Driving range: 900 miles (hydrogen) vs 812 miles (diesel) vs 400 miles (BEV)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use PowerTap
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
PowerTap technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
PowerTap partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Leading Hydrogen Truck OEMcorePowerTap signed a definitive hydrogen purchase agreement with a leading hydrogen truck OEM to supply hydrogen fuel to OEM truck customers at stations to be developed. This partnership provides a guaranteed customer base for PowerTap's planned fueling station network.
- Gas/Truck Fueling Station OperatorscorePowerTap partners with existing gas and truck fueling station operators to host PowerTap hydrogen fueling stations at current station locations. PowerTap revenue shares with hosts in return for hosting the modular stations. This enables rapid network expansion with minimal capital expenditure.
- Exclusive Component SupplierscorePowerTap works with several suppliers in an exclusive capacity to source raw components and feedstock (Renewable Natural Gas, Hydrogen Generators) for the hydrogen production process.
- California Air Resources Board (CARB)corePowerTap's hydrogen fueling stations qualify for California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) carbon credit program, administered by CARB. This enables stations to generate carbon credits immediately upon opening, providing cash flow prior to increased hydrogen fuel demand.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PowerTap competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Air Products and Chemicals: Industrial gas major and large-scale hydrogen producer with global hydrogen fueling infrastructure projects; a broad incumbent in hydrogen supply and station deployment.
- Shell (hydrogen and mobility): Global energy major investing in hydrogen fueling networks and hydrogen production; broad incumbent with overlapping fueling infrastructure ambitions, particularly in California and Europe.
- Linde: Global industrial gases leader with hydrogen production and fueling infrastructure; broad incumbent offering overlapping hydrogen supply and station solutions.
- Cummins (Accelera by Cummins): Diversified powertrain incumbent with Accelera segment producing hydrogen fuel cells, electrolyzers, and related infrastructure; a broader incumbent serving overlapping hydrogen transportation use cases.
Direct peers
- Plug Power: U.S. hydrogen fuel cell and green hydrogen producer building turnkey hydrogen fueling solutions for forklifts, trucks, and stationary power; overlaps with PowerTap's hydrogen fueling and station-deployment focus.
- Nel ASA: Norwegian provider of hydrogen electrolyzers and fueling stations; competes directly with PowerTap in on-site hydrogen production and station deployment for transportation applications.
- Ballard Power Systems: PEM fuel cell manufacturer targeting heavy-duty mobility including trucks and buses; comparable to PowerTap's hydrogen mobility end market and ecosystem positioning.
- First Element Fuel: California-based operator of hydrogen fueling stations for light-duty FCEVs; comparable to PowerTap in California LCFS-driven hydrogen retail station operations.
Emerging players
- ITM Power: UK-based PEM electrolyzer manufacturer supplying green hydrogen production and fueling systems; an emerging player with overlapping hydrogen production technology to PowerTap's GEN-3 platform.
Regional players
- Iwatani Corporation: Japanese hydrogen energy and industrial gas company with hydrogen liquefaction and fueling infrastructure; comparable technology focus with primarily Asia-Pacific footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PowerTap social profiles
Digital presencePowerTap financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PowerTap leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
PowerTap subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
PowerTap funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PowerTap 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 PowerTap
What does PowerTap do?
PowerTap designs, manufactures, and deploys modular on-site hydrogen fueling stations based on its patented GEN-3 platform, which uses Steam Methane Reforming with Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) to produce 1,250 kg/day of hydrogen. The stations are co-located at existing gas/truck/charging stations, generate revenue through hydrogen fuel sales and California LCFS carbon credits, and serve truck OEMs, fleet operators, transit agencies, and data center/energy providers.
Is PowerTap a public or private company?
PowerTap is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was PowerTap founded?
PowerTap was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is PowerTap based?
PowerTap is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, United States, in the North America region.
How does PowerTap make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hydrogen Fuel Sales are the primary driver. The others are california Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Carbon Credits, hydrogen Fueling Station Sales/Deployment and technology Licensing.
Who are PowerTap's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Air Products and Chemicals, Shell (hydrogen and mobility), Linde and Cummins (Accelera by Cummins). Direct peers are Plug Power, Nel ASA, Ballard Power Systems and First Element Fuel. ITM Power is listed as an emerging player. Iwatani Corporation is listed as a regional player.
Does PowerTap have an API?
No public API is recorded for PowerTap.
What industry is PowerTap in?
PowerTap's product category is Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUABAJAC, Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol), with a secondary code of EUALAGAI, Refinery Hydrogen & Utilities Systems (SMR/ATR, Steam, Power, Water). Its NAICS code is 333912 and its SIC code is 3533.