Fuel-cell technology could unlock fleet electrification



Fleet managers looking to decarbonise vans, trucks and buses may need to look beyond traditional grid connections, according to Newton Energi. With companies facing grid upgrade waits of up to 15 years, the firm is installing Bloom solid oxide fuel cells powered by biogas, paired with battery storage, to deliver depot charging infrastructure far more quickly.
Ken Smithers, director at Newton Energi, said: “Critics say biogas is a bridge technology. But the question is, how long is that bridge? Fleet operators have two choices: stay with diesel, or use a proven bridge technology that gets them to electrification now.”
Bloom is a permanent, modular energy system that generates electricity, heat and CO2 using natural gas, biogas or hydrogen. It relies on solid oxide fuel cells, producing power through a chemical reaction rather than combustion. This makes it highly efficient, with no nitrogen or sulphur oxide emissions, and safe to operate with no risk of noise, vibration or spills. Running 24/7, Bloom is well suited to businesses that demand constant, reliable power.


According to its website, each Bloom unit delivers 305kW of electricity and can capture up to 3.8MWh of thermal energy daily, with multiple units combined for larger operations. The system installs quickly, requires no special enclosures or exhaust stacks, and integrates easily with existing infrastructure. 
The system, already used by Apple, Google and Walmart for supplying facilities and server power needs, runs continuously with 99.9% uptime and requires servicing just once every five years. Heat and CO2 by-products can also be captured for reuse in heating, food and medical applications.
Fuelled by biogas from food waste, the technology minimises landfill, produces fertiliser, and supplies renewable power, offering fleets a scalable alternative while grid bottlenecks persist.
Businesses can purchase Bloom outright, lease it, or access it via a Power Purchase Agreement, giving flexibility in how they adopt clean, secure and scalable energy.

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