Arcola Energy to design hydrogen drivetrain for 3.5T commercial vehicle

A project that aims to catapult the UK to the forefront of the hydrogen car industry has won £500,000 of government funding as part of the Low Emission Freight and Logistics Trial.

TThe £0.5m project will be led by Arcola Energy, who will design a hydrogen-electric hybrid drivetrain, with a hydrogen fuel cell system providing extended range – to 200 miles per day.

Project partner Haydale Composite Solutions will develop a 700bar hydrogen tank to suit the emerging refuelling standards and enable the range extension for the vehicle.

Commercial Group, operators of the largest commercial hydrogen-enabled vehicle fleet in the UK, will trial the vehicle - the first fully zero-emission vehicle in their hydrogen-powered fleet.

Dr Ben Todd, MD at Arcola Energy said: “This project builds on many years of Arcola Energy work developing and integrating hydrogen fuel cell systems in to vehicles ranging from lightweight 2-seaters to double-decker buses.

“Importantly, it will support expansion of Arcola Energy’s engineering services offering to include the whole hydrogen-electric hybrid drive train from H2 tank to wheels.

“From our experience in supplying zero-emission vans to end-users, we are only too aware of the absence of a zero-emission 3.5T commercial vehicle in the marketplace. Thus, we are delighted to be working with other UK-based partners to deliver and commercially trial a scalable, practical approach to addressing this requirement.”

Arthur Hindmarch, Managing Director at Commercial Group said: “We are tremendously excited to be involved in a project that is not just at the cutting edge of zero-emission vehicle development, but which promises to re-invigorate the UK’s drivetrain manufacturing industry, harnessing the country’s long-standing capability in this area.

“We believe that hydrogen powered transport solutions are a key part of our zero-emission future and are proud to be an early adopter.”