Fuel cell research scheme to be launched

Intelligent Energy is set to lead a research programme that looks into the commercialisation of fuel cells for the automotive industry.

The DIGIMAN scheme is being backed by Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), part of Horizon 2020, which is looking into zero emissions vehicles.

The research programme is expected to cost nearly £3 million.

Intelligent Energy is the programme's technology lead and overall coordination will be provided by French group CEA Tech-Liten.

Other members of the consortium are Freudenberg Performance Materials SE&Co, WMG at the University of Warwick and Toyota Motor Europe.

Richard Peart, head of manufacturing at Intelligent Energy, said: "Hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles are available now, but to continue to drive customer adoption, we need to ensure future fuel cell stacks are robustly industrialised and remain cost competitive in the future."