Petra Power Secured Defense Department Contracts
The San Francisco-based startup won nearly $9 million to develop fuel cells for government land vehicles.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Petra Power, a startup founded in 2017 with approximately 15 employees, recently secured nearly $9 million in Department of Defense contracts. The funding supports the testing of solid oxide fuel cells designed to power defense vehicles and data centers.
Why it matters
These fuel cells generate power by stripping electrons directly from fuel, bypassing the combustion and motion steps required by traditional engines. The technology promises smaller equipment footprints and lower fuel costs and emissions for military applications.
The firm secured nearly $9 million in Department of Defense contracts to scale technology developed since its 2017 founding. The project remains in the testing phase, with full-scale production not expected until 2029.
The players
Petra Power
A San Francisco-based startup founded in 2017 that develops solid oxide fuel cells.
Department of Defense
The federal agency that awarded nearly $9 million in contracts to Petra Power for fuel cell development.
The details
Petra Power produces solid oxide fuel cells that convert fuel into electricity without combustion. The company is currently testing this technology for use in government land vehicles. After participating in the Startup Battlefield 200 event at Moscone West, the firm is working toward a 2028 target for its first customer deployment.
Timeline
2017: Petra Power was founded.
October 2026: The company participated in the Startup Battlefield 200 event.
2028: The company targets its first customer deployment.
2029: The company plans to reach full-scale production.
Across the Bay
Petra Power's development of high-efficiency fuel cells follows a broader trend within the Department of Defense's Operational Energy Strategy to reduce reliance on traditional fuel logistics. The project extends this defense policy by funding localized, low-emission power generation for tactical vehicles.
While the firm is currently operating out of San Francisco with a small team of 15, residents should watch for industry growth as the firm approaches its 2029 production milestone. Local employment figures and office needs may shift as the company transitions from the testing phase to full-scale manufacturing.
The takeaway
Petra Power represents a shift toward energy generation that eliminates mechanical combustion steps. Residents can monitor the company's progress toward its 2028 customer deployment goal to gauge the real-world viability of this fuel cell technology.
Further reading
For more on the local landscape of energy innovation, visit the Electric Vehicles section.
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Is now a good time for organizations to invest in emerging energy technologies like fuel cells?
