The automotive and energy developer First Hydrogen has unveiled its first zero-emission light commercial vehicles (LCVs) after commencing track-based testing.
The First Hydrogen fuel cell-powered vans (FCEV) have commenced performance tests at the Horiba Mira Proving Ground, located near Birmingham. The track tests are intended to confirm the safety and performance of the LCVs prior to handover from powertrain specialists AVL to First Hydrogen.
Last month, the vehicles were certified for UK road use ahead of a series of road trials with major UK operators, which start in January 2023. The vehicles will undertake final testing designed to fine tune operational performance, before they will be available for fleet operator trials to commence in the New Year.
The company’s inaugural vehicles are claimed to have more than five times of the range of their battery electric equivalent – achieving 400-600km on a single fuelling compared to the 115km of the battery electric van running at the same maximum speed. With a refuelling time of approximately 5 minutes, the time required to power First Hydrogen’s FCEVs also undercuts the five hours it takes to recharge a battery electric van.
Created to encourage adoption and whet the market appetite, the company’s vehicle demonstrator program will inform development for future vehicle trials in EU, US and Canada. Feedback and high-level purchase commitments will also support the design and development of First Hydrogen’s next generation of vehicles, which it plans to bring to market in the next few years.
First Hydrogen installed hydrogen fuel systems into the First Hydrogen LCV vans. The fuel stack was supplied by Ballard Power Systems, a provider of energy fuel cell solutions, and the vehicles have been fitted out at AVL’s facility in Basildon. The van has also been wrapped in First Hydrogen branded blue and white livery, designed to reference the vehicle’s hydrogen-propulsion system.
Steve Gill, CEO of automotive for First Hydrogen, said: “The team has been working tirelessly to reach this monumental achievement. It has been phenomenal to watch the performance on the test track and really brought our vision into reality. These vehicles enable us to demonstrate how hydrogen fuel cell systems can serve the LCV market; delivering the range and providing the operational flexibility commercial fleets require.”
Nicholas Wrigley, chairman of First Hydrogen, commented: “We are delighted with the initial performance of the First Hydrogen fuel cell van. There is growing pressure on the transport sector to achieve zero emission targets, which means operators, governments and investors are eager to see the power of hydrogen mobility in action. Using donor vehicles has enabled us to bring our first demonstrator vans to market quickly. This approach also allows customers to see, feel and experience the operational benefits of hydrogen propulsion in a familiar set up.”
No comments yet