2nd Apr 2015 08:24
LONDON (Alliance News) - Intelligent energy Holdings PLC Thursday said it is leading a UK based consortium to develop a new fleet of light commercial vehicles with zero-emissions.
Intelligent Energy said it will lead the consortium, which includes partners such as British Gas, part of Centrica PLC, DHL, Frost EV, Millbrook and CENEX.
"The calibre of partners underlines the level of confidence in the advantages of and commercial opportunities for fuel cell solutions for electric vehicle application," said James Batchelor, managing director of the company's Motive Division.
By integrating Intelligent Energy's fuel cell technology into battery electric vehicles, the consortium aims to allow the production of low carbon, light commercial vehicles with "significantly improved" range and rapid refuelling.
The three-year project will cost a total of GBP12.7 million, of which, GBP6.3 million will be funded by a grant from the Advanced Propulsion Centre. The role of the Advanced Propulsion Centre is to position the UK as a centre of excellence for low carbon propulsion development and production.
"Our aim is to position the UK as a global centre for low carbon propulsion systems development and production. This consortium of British companies is helping the Advanced Propulsion Centre to deliver its aim with this innovative project that uses hydrogen fuel cell technologies. It has the potential to deliver a viable zero-emission vehicle for fleet operators around the world," said Jon Beasley, director of technology at the Advanced Propulsion Centre.
"Ever tightening legislation to decarbonise road transport and the accelerating roll out of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, provide a real commercial imperative for the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology," said Batchelor.
The project is a continuation of Intelligent Energy's Motive Division's development of low carbon light commercial vehicles following the launch of zero emission London taxis in 2012.
Still, Intelligent Energy shares were down 0.5% to 126.43 pence per share while FTSE-100 listed Centrica shares were down 0.1% to 254.50 pence.
By Joshua Warner; [email protected]; @JoshAlliance
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