Gas free Motorhomes: Webasto and SFC

Webasto integrates EFOY fuel cell into product portfolio - SFC products now available via Webasto’s international distribution network

Stockdorf/Brunnthal, Germany – February 9, 2009– Motor home owners want to enjoy the full comfort of their vehicle wherever they are. Webasto heating and motor home comfort solutions ensure that they feel at home in their vehicle at any time and in any climate. To ensure that products are lightweight, small and low in energy consumption, Webasto has implemented a completely gas-free concept with DualTop, Webasto’s combined air and wash-water heating system, and a Diesel stove. An EFOY fuel cell serves as external power source. The silent, independent, powerful and environmentally friendly fuel cell can be easily integrated even into the smallest motor home. With the supplier of the EFOY fuel cell, SFC Smart Fuel Cell, Webasto has now signed a distribution partnership. With immediate effect the EFOY fuel cell will be available in many countries via the Webasto retail network. Distribution has already started for Europe and will successively be further rolled out internationally, including the US.

“A fuel cell using the liquid, easy to transport alcohol methanol that can be produced from renewable resources is a consistent step towards a sustainable mobile energy concept”, says Dr. Joachim Damasky, Director of the Global Comfort Solutions Business Unit of Webasto AG. “With the distribution of the EFOY fuel cell we add another important and innovative module to our gas free concept.”

“We are excited that with Webasto we have a strong partner at our side who has an excellent track record in the successful marketing of technical products all over the world“, says Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG. “Our cooperation envisions a distribution partnership in which our fuel cells will be offered as OEM products as part of the Webasto gas free concept, and also for retrofitting existing motor homes.”

Webasto’s gas free concept

Webasto’s new DualTop system provides a clean break from traditional systems in which most devices on board of a motorhome are powered by gas. Webasto’s gas- free concept assures the continuous comfort that motorhome owners expect along with a fully independent, autonomous power supply. This frees owners from relying on refill utilities for gas bottles or worrying about reaching a campground with power outlets in time. In a gas free motor home the heating system and the stove are operated by Diesel fuel from the vehicle’s tank. The power for the compressor fridge comes from a service battery, which is continually and automatically recharged by the EFOY fuel cell on board.

Without gas bottles, there is also more space inside the motor home, enabling more spacious vehicle layouts. All Webasto heating systems are designed for outside mounting, which also saves space. The elimination of the gas bottles saves additional weight, which in turn reduces energy costs: the motor home is lighter and thus requires less fuel. The EFOY fuel cell is extremely reliable, economical (10 l will provide up to four weeks of autonomous power on board) and maintenance free.

About SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG

SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG (www.sfc.com) is market leader in fuel cell technologies for mobile and off-grid power applications serving the leisure, industrial and defense markets. As one of Germany’s technology pioneers, SFC has won numerous innovation awards.SFC has alliances with leading companies in a wide range of industries.Unlike most other fuel cell manufacturers, who are in the research and development phase or run subsidized demonstration projects, SFC has shipped more than 11,000 fully commercial products to industrial and private end users for more than four years, and has created a convenient fuel cartridge supply infrastructure. SFC is DIN ISO 9001:2000 certified. SFC is based in Brunnthal, Germany, and has a U.S. sales and technical service office in Atlanta.