The generator acquisition comes as Hyliion plans to release its Hypertruck KARNO, a fuel agnostic variant as the second phase of the company’s journey into a hydrogen-based future.

The Hypertruck is an electric powertrain for Class 8 commercial trucks, recharged by an onboard generator.

Hyliion will use GE’s KARNO generator which it says is expected to achieve more than a 20% efficiency improvement over conventional generators, and could be more efficient than most fuel cells, enabling cost reductions and improved vehicle range.

H2 View understands the KARNO power system is set to be capable of running on over 20 fuels including hydrogen, ammonia, natural gas, propane and conventional fuels, using heat, produced through flameless oxidation, to drive a sealed linear generator to produce electricity.

The transaction, subject to closing conditions, is expected to close by the end of the third quarter in 2022, is valued at approximately $37m. GE will receive $15m in cash, and around $22m in Hyliion stock, while Hyliion will acquire the generator technology, and integrate the engineering team that created the system.

Preluding the hydrogen-powered truck, Hyliion intend on releasing its first Hypertruck ERX powertrain in 2023, which utilise a natural gas engine as the onboard generator.

Thomas Healy, founder and CEO of Hyliion, said, “Solving climate change, whether through adopting electric vehicles or reducing emissions from manufacturing sites, requires clean, efficient and dependable electricity.

“Hyliion will leverage the KARNO as the next generation generator onboard the Hypertruck, creating a solution that will operate on various fuel sources that are available today, while remaining future-proofed to run on hydrogen when it becomes widely accessible.”