Hillcrest Energy Technologies ($HEAT) Announces New Leadership Appointment
Hillcrest Energy Technologies (CSE: HEAT) is excited to share the appointment of Otmar Bitsche as the Vice President of European Business Development. Mr. Bitsche previously held the position of Director of E-Mobility at Porsche AG, where he was instrumental in establishing the company's e-mobility organization from 2012 until his retirement in December 2025. His extensive experience in electric vehicles, high-voltage powertrains, battery systems, EV fast charging, and energy storage aligns perfectly with Hillcrest's commercialization initiatives in these sectors.
A Seasoned Expert in the EV Industry
With over 30 years in the electric vehicle industry, Mr. Bitsche has witnessed its evolution firsthand. His career began in power electronics, leading to significant roles in electric vehicle programs at Steyr-Daimler-Puch (now Magna Fahrzeugtechnik) and Temic (Smart EV). At DaimlerChrysler, he advanced to senior management, overseeing battery systems and electrical powertrains, and was a key figure in developing the S-Class hybrid drive. His tenure at Porsche saw him contribute to the Mission E project, which led to the Taycan, and he played a vital role in creating the industry's first 800-volt vehicle architecture and charging infrastructure.
Driving Innovation at Hillcrest
“Otmar built Porsche's e-mobility organization and architected its 800-volt platform — he knows what it takes to bring advanced technology from concept to series production,” stated Don Currie, CEO of Hillcrest. “His relationships across the European automotive and energy sectors, combined with hands-on experience in EV charging and energy storage, make him the right person to drive our ZVS technology into production platforms across multiple markets.”
“Hillcrest's ZVS technology addresses a real and growing need across the electrification value chain — the ability to achieve higher power conversion efficiency while reducing system-level costs,” remarked Otmar Bitsche. “Having spent my career pushing the boundaries of what's possible in electric vehicles, fast charging, and energy storage, I recognize the transformative potential of this technology across multiple applications. I look forward to working with European OEMs, Tier One suppliers, and energy infrastructure partners to bring ZVS into production platforms where it can deliver measurable advantages in efficiency, performance, and cost.”
Strengthening Hillcrest's European Team
Hillcrest's ZVS traction inverter has proven its capabilities, achieving 99.7% peak efficiency in automotive OEM testing while maintaining over 99% efficiency across 90% of its operating range. This innovative technology also boasts superior EMI performance and significant reductions in component sizing, which lowers system costs and weight. Throughout 2025, Hillcrest engaged in extensive validation testing with various automotive OEMs and Tier One suppliers, leading to advanced commercial discussions regarding monetizing ZVS technology in the automotive sector.
Mr. Bitsche joins a robust European team that Hillcrest has been developing over the past four years. Harald Hengstenberger, Managing Director and Owner of Systematec GmbH, has collaborated with Hillcrest since the early stages of ZVS technology development. His firm now operates as Hillcrest's Automotive Center of Excellence in Germany, leading prototype development and customer validation of ZVS inverter technology across Europe. Dr. Heinz-Georg Burghoff, Hillcrest's Commercialization Consultant, brings over 20 years of experience in electric/electronic development and battery technology strategy from DaimlerChrysler AG. Together, they form a dedicated European team with complementary expertise in power electronics engineering, automotive product strategy, and business development, positioning Hillcrest to drive its ZVS technology into production across the automotive and electrification sectors.
About Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd.
Hillcrest Energy Technologies is an energy technology company focused on delivering advanced power conversion technologies and digital control systems for next-generation powertrains and grid-connected renewable energy systems. Committed to fostering a sustainable and electrified future, Hillcrest is publicly traded on the CSE under the symbol “HEAT,” on the OTCQB Venture Market as “HLRTF,” and on the Frankfurt Exchange as “7HI.” For more information, please visit hillcrestenergy.tech.
For investor inquiries, contact Don Currie at info@hillcrestenergy.tech or call +1 604-609-0006. For public relations, reach Jamie L. Hogue at jhogue@hillcrestenergy.tech or +1 602-793-9481.
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