Zero-emission, hydrogen-powered commercial vehicle producer Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) has unveiled a clean-sheet-designed hydrogen-electric truck that will be produced in the UK. HVS’ tractor units will be built on a new chassis, designed in-house around the hydrogen powertrain, which consists of pressurized hydrogen cylinders, fuel cells, an energy storage system and an electrified rear axle.
HVS’ vehicle powertrain employs a fuel cell system and energy storage system to deploy electricity to an electric motor to transmit power to the wheels. It uses the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) to recapture energy under braking and while the truck is slowing down. The integrated powertrain is controlled with HVS’ advanced control system, “SEMAS,” which monitors interactions between drivers and control systems, delivering “class-leading” fuel efficiency and durability, the company says
The fuel cell permits longer range, higher load-carrying capacity, and faster refueling than would be possible using battery-electric technology alone, the company says. Typical refueling time is comparable to diesel, around 20 minutes to replenish the high-pressure hydrogen tanks. The only emission from the vehicle is water vapor.
Depending on the journey – the route traveled, road conditions and driving style – HVS’ HGV has the capacity to travel up to 370 miles, the company says.
HVS is headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, and is undertaking development work at Horiba MIRA, Nuneaton, Warwickshire. HVS says it conceives that it will open an R&D, engineering and pilot production facility alongside a permanent UK-based production facility. A workforce of around 600 employees is predicted across all key disciplines, with many recruits coming from the automotive and aerospace industries, the company says.
Other variants of the hydrogen-fuelled 4×2 HGV tractor unit, including a left-hand drive variant, are also in the pipeline, HVS says.
