The Exponential Roadmap Initiative is pleased to welcome PowerCell as a new member, and recognises the company’s Marine System 225 (MS225) as a qualifying climate solution under the Climate Solutions Framework.

Following a thorough assessment, the MS225 system, which substitutes conventional internal combustion engine power systems with hydrogen fuel cell technology, has been confirmed to meet the framework’s rigorous criteria. PowerCell becomes the latest addition of companies qualified under the framework following Beyond Meat, Oatly, Stegra and Ragn-Sells, a group of frontrunners dedicated to scaling solutions that can support the transformation of global supply chans and contribute to the global phase out of the fossil economy.

Decarbonising the shipping sector

The global shipping industry remains one of the most emissions-intensive sectors, largely due to its heavy reliance on fossil fuels. To stay close to the 1.5°C ambition, the sector requires a rapid transition toward zero-emission propulsion. PowerCell’s MS225 system, when powered by green hydrogen produced via electrolysis with renewable electricity, provides a scalable pathway to replace fossil-based alternatives without compromising on power performance.

Life cycle assessments show significant reductions

To qualify as a climate solution under the framework, a product or service must demonstrate at least 50% lower emissions compared to the current market average. Independent life cycle assessments show that the PowerCell MS225 significantly outperforms conventional alternatives in the maritime sector:

• Cruise ships: 82% lower carbon footprint compared to market averages.
• Bulk carriers: 81% lower carbon footprint compared to market averages.

By eliminating the reliance on fossil fuels and utilising renewable energy for hydrogen production, these systems substantially support a sustainable shipping transition.

The Climate Solutions Framework

The Climate Solutions Framework, developed by the Exponential Roadmap Initiative together with Oxford Net Zero, provides a science-anchored definition of what constitutes a true climate solution. It helps businesses, investors and policymakers identify products and services capable of delivering meaningful emissions reductions at a global level.

To qualify, solutions must deliver at least 50% lower emissions per functional unit compared to the current market average and demonstrate that they support broader environmental and social boundaries. Following detailed analysis by ERI, PowerCell’s MS225 system was confirmed to meet these requirements.

Johan Falk, CEO and co-founder of the Exponential Roadmap Initiative says:

“It is great to welcome PowerCell as a member of the Exponential Roadmap Initiative and as the latest addition to our Climate Solutions cluster. Through our Climate Solutions Framework, we qualify solutions that drive the transition to an earth-aligned economy by delivering significantly lower lifecycle emissions than mainstream alternatives. Independent assessments show that PowerCell’s system outperforms the current market by over 80% in key use cases, demonstrating the vital role of green hydrogen in decarbonising the emissions-intensive shipping sector.”

Victor Åkerlund, Chief Analytics & Sustainability Officer, PowerCell Group, adds:

“We assessed the MS225 cradle-to-grave because that’s the only honest way to talk about climate impact in shipping. The result – over 80% lower lifecycle emissions versus marine gas oil – means customers acting today aren’t betting on future technology. They’re deploying a solution that already meets a credible 1.5°C-aligned standard.”