Hydrogen Vehicle Services says new commercial vehicle has a range of more than 500km before refuelling
Zero-emission, long-range hydrogen-powered commercial vehicle manufacturer, Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS), has unveiled what it says is a clean-sheet-designed hydrogen commercial vehicle.
Showcasing its hydrogen powertrain in the form of a 5.5-tonne technology demonstrator, HVS says the new truck offers a hint to its planned 40-tonne zero-emission HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle), fulfilling the company’s objective of being the first indigenous UK designed and developed hydrogen-electric HGV on the market.
Glasgow-based HVS was founded in 2017. The company boasts industry specialists, with vast experience in the automotive, energy, hydrogen technology, power electronics, sustainability and environmental management fields.
With UK government targets to curtail sales of all non-zero emission 3.5–26 tonne HGVs set to come into play by 2035 or earlier and all sales of new non-zero emission HGVs by 2040, HVS believes its technology has the potential to play a crucial role in allowing emissions reduction targets to be achieved.
The company claims a defined route to market. In addition to funding from Innovate UK, Scottish Enterprise and Energy Technology Partnership, HVS’s strategic investment partner is the service station and grocery corporation, EG Group, offering hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, fleet customer base and the potential for global scalability.
“This technology demonstrator showcases our ground-breaking hydrogen-electric commercial vehicle design and advanced powertrain technology, a precursor to our HGV model,” says HVS CEO Jawad Khursheed.
“Fuelled by close-coupled green hydrogen (hydrogen produced directly by renewable energy sources such as hydro, wind or solar) our zero-emission trucks are a key part of decarbonising the logistics sector.
“Hydrogen is the perfect fuel for the haulage industry, offering long ranges and quick refuelling thanks to stations easily integrated into key transport networks.
“What’s more, we will supply our customers with the most advanced HGV in the sector delivering a step change in driving experience, lowest total cost of ownership and market-leading fleet management support.”
HVS says its units will be built on an all-new chassis, designed in-house around the hydrogen powertrain, which consists of pressurised hydrogen cylinders, fuel cells, energy storage system and eAxle.
HVS states that its 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 fuel cell is said to permit longer range, higher load-carrying capacity, and faster refuelling than would be possible using Lithium-Ion battery technology alone. It adds that typical refuelling time is comparable to diesel.
HVS advises that the only emission from the vehicle is water vapour, meaning there are no harmful greenhouse gas emissions of any kind.
Depending on the journey – the route travelled, road conditions and driving style – HVS says its HGV has the capacity to cover in excess of 500km.
“Hydrogen-powered vehicles don’t need charging like a battery-powered EV,” says HVS. “They are refuelled with hydrogen gas, stored at pressure in hydrogen cylinders. Refuelling takes a much shorter time than charging an equivalent battery vehicle and is comparable to filling a truck with diesel.
“Many hydrogen fuelling stations will be located at existing gas stations, using dispensers that look very similar to conventional petrol and diesel ones, but with a different nozzle.”