Mission-Ready Hydrogen Power
ZEI delivers advanced energy technology to US and allied nations that allow us to dictate terms of engagement, reduce collateral damage, and protect servicemember’s lives.
Forged at Sea. Ready for Deployment.
Building the world’s first commercial hydrogen fuel cell vessel showed us the problems with the industry. The solutions we developed to solve them will change the world.
Zero Emission Industries was founded to deliver resilient hydrogen power to maritime operations—an environment defined by harsh conditions, complex logistics, and zero margin for error. We engineered solutions from the ground up: generating high-output power, secure storage and transfer systems, and closing the critical logistical gap between supply points and operational platforms.
What we uncovered is that these aren’t just maritime obstacles—they’re the same operational barriers hindering hydrogen deployment across the battlespace. Hydrogen’s promise as a battlefield fuel—high energy density, silent operation, and clean byproducts—is offset by its complexity. Reliable transport, containment, and rapid refueling are essential to tactical viability, especially in contested or remote environments.
By solving these challenges under real-world maritime pressure, we’ve unlocked the capability to deploy hydrogen at the tactical edge. Quiet, efficient, and battlefield-adaptable—this is hydrogen that works when and where it’s needed most.
Dr. Joseph Pratt, CEO
Dr. Joseph Pratt, a world-leading hydrogen expert, drives real-world application of hydrogen power. With a PhD from UC Irvine’s National Fuel Cell Research Center, his work delves into fuel cell performance under unique conditions. Formerly with Sandia National Laboratories, Dr. Pratt led projects for DOE, shaping fuel cell markets and advancing hydrogen infrastructure. Authoring book chapters, reports, and peer-reviewed articles, he’s a sought-after speaker on hydrogen tech globally. As founder of ZEI, he continues to pioneer hydrogen solutions, bridging the gap between research and practical implementation.
John Motlow, Chief Strategy Officer
John M Motlow is a well known hydrogen industry strategist and thought leader. Prior to ZEI, he spent his career building technology startups in the San Francisco Bay Area. John is an expert in evaluating and enabling the growth and adoption pathways for commercialized and cutting-edge hydrogen technologies, while identifying and mitigating the technical, regulatory, communication and market challenges that arise with H2 deployment in the real world. John is also a founding member of the United States Hydrogen Alliance, a leading hydrogen trade association.
Maritime-Proven, Mission-Ready: Advancing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power for Defense Without Limits
2017 | Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine.
Co-founder Dr. Joseph Pratt created a study to determine the limits of hydrogen fuel cells in marine vessels. Spoiler: There aren’t any.
2018 | Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine.
The Water-Go-Round, provided proof that zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell technology works for commercial marine vessels.
2019 | First Customer – Switch Maritime.
Switch Maritime purchased and renamed GGZEM’s hydrogen fuel cell ferry to The Sea Change, marking the first time in history that a hydrogen powered vessel was purchased and designated for commercial use.
2021 | Zero Emission Industries.
During construction of the Sea Change, our founders encountered the issues that have prevented hydrogen from becoming the prevalent fuel system it should be. Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine rebranded to Zero Emission Industries correct that. Read more about the Sea Change.
2021 | FCV Vanguard.
ZEI received $2 million in grant funding from the California Energy Commission for developing and deploying its powertrain and vessel, as well as its portable refueling solution, enabling fast and convenient fueling for boats anywhere, without infrastructure. Read more about the FCV Vanguard
2024 | Sea Change Complete.
2022 marked the beginning of ZEI’s push toward wide commercialization of hydrogen technology solutions as the Sea Change began operations in San Francisco Bay.
The Team
We're a team of passionate innovative thinkers who are making a real difference.
Our team blends deep hydrogen expertise with Silicon Valley agility, delivering cutting-edge solutions that advance both capability and technology. We’re not just keeping pace with the hydrogen revolution—we’re leading it, with real-world performance and defense-grade reliability at the core.
If you’re ready to push boundaries and shape the future of tactical energy, come build with us.
Our Partners and Investors
