French car giant Peugeot Citroen has today debuted a new zero emission delivery vehicle that combines hydrogen fuel cell and battery technology.
The demonstration vehicle is the result of a three year H2Origin research project with UK fuel cell specialist Intelligent Energy that has seen the new engine integrated into Peugeot's battery powered Partner Origin van.
The engine combines the existing electric battery and powertrain with a hydrogen fuel cell designed to treble the range of the vehicle to 300km. The car can the run off of either the hydrogen fuel cell or the battery with the battery recharging when the fuel cell is powering the vehicle in the manner similar to a hybrid.
A spokesman for the company said that it boasted a top speed of 95km/h and accelerated from 0 to 50 in 8.3 seconds.
Intelligent Energy said that the fuel cell was small enough to fit under the bonnet of a small delivery vehicle. It added that concerns over the effectiveness of hydrogen fuel cells at low temperatures had also been addressed, noting that the vehicle can be started at minus 20 degrees centigrade.
The van also features a new hydrogen storage system that holds the gas in an exchangeable rack or fuel tank. Peugeot Citroen said that the exchangeable rack provides a practical alternative to refuelling at hydrogen refuelling stations, only two of which are currently operational in the UK. Instead delivery vehicles running low on fuel could simply return to the depot to have a new full hydrogen tank fitted.
Jean Pierre Goedgebuer, Scientific Director of PSA Peugeot Citroën, said that the extended range of the van would increase "the attractiveness of electric vehicles for urban delivery", adding that the sector represented "one of the most promising future markets for electric vehicles".
Technology could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent 18 May 2007
Air Resources Board invites applications for funding from firms planning to expand the state's embryonic hydrogen refuelling infrastructure 17 Apr 2008
UTC Power boss predicts hydrogen fuel cell buses will soon be more cost effective than incumbent diesel buses 13 May 2008
University of Birmingham claims new refuelling station represents first step along the road to a hydrogen-powered highway 17 Apr 2008
Building giant details plans to develop three more commercially viable zero carbon homes over next three years 16 May 2008
Toyota claims the iconic hybrid vehicle has helped cut global carbon emissions by approximately 4.5m tonnes in the last decade 16 May 2008
More news
After two decades of development countless nanotechnologies are fast approaching commercial viability – and they have the potential to redefine the clean tech sector 16 May 2008
Green business courses are springing up think and fast, but as Vanessa Crossgrove Fry warns it could still be several years before we see Green MBAs take their place in the largest firms 14 May 2008 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
