Start-up prepares to begin testing LNG fuel cell vehicles in Hong Kong
German start-up Kraftwerk has developed a liquified natural gas (LNG) battery, and claims it, and not lithium-ion, is the future of electric vehicles. Co-founder and former BMW employee Martin Pentenrieder said the LNG battery would be suited for deployment in Hong Kong, where the LNG fuelling infrastructure already exists. Kraftwerk's battery, which relies on a chemical reaction after the injection of LNG into a fuel cell stack, has a well-to-wheel efficiency ratio of at least 45%. Several large carmakers are said to be interested in the project.

Martin Pentenrieder, co-founder and chief operating officer for Kraftwerk, holds a full metal fuel cell. The German firm hopes to bring its new vehicle technology to Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee