The Government has announced the launch of a major new hydrogen fuel cell project, backed by the car industry, which aims to bring fuel cell vehicles onto UK roads by 2015.

The new £400million programme-UKH2Mobility-aims to evaluate the potential for hydrogen as a fuel for vehicles in the UK and develop an action plan for the anticipated arrival of the first models available to consumers within the next three to four years.

Together, the government and thirteen car and other companies-including Daimler, Nissan, Toyota, Vauxhall, BOC Group and Air Liquide-have signed a memorandum of understanding to achieve three key targets; firstly investigate emissions benefits of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs), secondly review what is required to commercialise the technology and assess the need for refuelling infrastructure and finally identify what is required to drive the UK to the forefront of FCEV manufacturing.

Speaking at the launch of UKH2Mobility, Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “The UK is proving itself to be a key early market for ultra-low emission vehicles with growing numbers of electric and plug-in hybrids appearing on our roads. The Government is supporting this market by investing £400million to support the development, demonstration and deployment of these vehicles.

“This country has a number of world-class companies that are developing exciting technologies in both the hydrogen energy and automotive value chains and it is vitally important that we identify what is required to make these cars a realistic proposition for UK consumers.”

While at the event, Vauxhall took the chance to present its 4^th generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle “HydroGen4”. Vauxhall and its parent firm GM have been trialling a fleet of over 100 FCEVs in Europe and the US since 2008, with the vehicles having now collectively accrued around 2 million miles of real-world testing. The British-based firm expects to have its first FCEV ready for market introduction by 2016.

The thoughts of many in the automotive world may be fixed on the upcoming North American International Auto Show – but Tata Motors decided to shine the spotlight on the New Delhi Auto Expo 2012 by displaying four concepts at the event.

Making their debut were: the Tata Nano CNG (compressed natural gas); the Tata Indigo Manza diesel-electric hybrid; the Tata Magic CNG; and the Tata Starbus Fuel Cell, which runs on hydrogen power. Also showcased were three new production vehicles: the Tata Safari Storme, which is the latest Safari SUV; the Tata LPT 3723,India’s first five-axle rigid truck; and the Tata Ultra, part of the company’s new LCV and ICV range.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the concepts:

- Tata Nano CNG Concept: The famous Tata Nano now boasts compressed natural gas vehicle kit components. It features a sequential gas injection system that has been calibrated with an EMS system for smart switching between the petrol and compressed natural gas systems; and the vehicle offers a range of more than 93miles and CO2 emissions of 92.7g/km.

- Tata Indigo Manza Hybrid Concept: Designed to deliver performance with emissions of less than 90g/km in city traffic conditions, the Tata Indigo Manza Hybrid Concept is powered by a hybrid 1.05litre DiCOR engine and a 45kW electric traction engine. It also includes a host of environmental features such as: auto start/stop; limited range pure electric operation; regenerative braking; and speed cranking.

- Tata Starbus Fuel Cell Concept: This is a 30-seat vehicle that has been developed with support from the Government of India’s Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. It boasts peak power output of 186kW with torque of 774lb-ft at 800rpm.

- Tata Magic IRIS CNG: Equipped with a 611cc, water-cooled 12.8hp CNG engine with 37Nm of torque, the vehicle has a tamper proof ECU which electronically limits the maximum speed based on local city requirements.

The US state of California has been leading the way in terms of environmental movements – and now the potential success of its efforts has been revealed.

According to a report from the California Council on Science and Technology, total travel demand in the state is expected to increase between 50 per cent and 100 per cent from 2005 to 2050 due to population growth and other factors such as increasing travel demand per capita. However, the same report also suggests that total transportation energy demand in the state could be reduced by 30 per cent over the same period thanks to improvements in vehicle efficiency including the use of plug-in electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.   

The study, entitled California’s Energy Future – Transportation Energy Use in California, focuses on two main alternative scenarios involving plug-in electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles.

It suggests that plug-in electric vehicle adoption will be hampered by factors such as cost, but as battery costs fall the market will move beyond early adopters. Hybrid vehicles are expected to become the dominant type of new car sold – exceeding 50 per cent in 2030 – while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles will grow to become on quarter of the new car market by the same year. 

Meanwhile, fuel cell vehicles are expected to be commercially introduced in California in 2015 at low volume and in limited markets. However, there will be rapid sales growth for fuel cell vehicles between 2020 and 2030 as new manufacturers begin building the vehicles. Indeed under its realistic scenario, by 2030, 20 per cent of new vehicles will be fuel cell vehicles, 12 per cent plug-in electric vehicles and 67 per cent hybrids – with petrol vehicles no longer sold.

When we think of fuel cells, most people automatically think of hydrogen as the fuel of choice. But according to scientists at the University of Maryland, that’s where we’re going wrong in the race to produce cleaner forms of transport.

"There is a problem in the perception of the public and policy makers, and in the funding of our fuel cell programs, that hydrogen and fuel cells are linked," says Professor Eric Wachsman, director of the University of Maryland Energy Research Center (UMERC) . "Hydrogen-based fuel cells are the technology that has gotten all of the press and as a result we’re still waiting for a future hydrogen infrastructure. Yes, fuel cells can run off hydrogen, but they don’t have to."

Instead fuel cells could be used with other fuels including gasoline and diesel, resulting in cleaner running than conventional counterparts, simply because fuel cells are around three times more efficient than combustion engines.

As Wachsman reveals the University’s new gasoline-powered fuel cell prototype, he warns that the US is in danger of falling behind in the development and implementation of fuel cells, by focusing on hydrogen as the choice of fuel.

Most people are unaware that there are two kinds of fuel cells. The one in the public eye, the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, uses hydrogen to generate power. The type of fuel cell Wachsman and his colleagues have worked to perfect, is the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), has a distinct advantage over its PEM-based sibling.

"Solid oxide fuel cells are unique because they can oxidize any fuel," Wachsman explains. "They can run off of gasoline, diesel and natural gas today, and biofuels and hydrogen in the future, whenever that infrastructure is in place."

There is just one problem with most SOFCs which is preventing their large scale production; and that is their operating temperature. PEM fuel cells operate at around 80 degrees Celsius, which allows them to start-up fairly quickly. Current solid oxide fuel cells currently operate at 800 degrees Celsius so it takes a long time to warm up to operating temperature.

However Wachsman and his colleagues are working to change that.  In an article in the November 18 issue of Science, the team outlines the technology behind a new world record power density SOFC that generates two watts of power per square centimeter at 650 degrees Celsius. The team believes its improvements to SOFC electrolytes and nanostructured-electrode designs could ultimately reduce the cells’ operating temperature to only 350 degrees Celsius.  At that temperature they could start up fast enough for automotive applications, and would be more efficient and more affordable than current SOFCs.

The fourth Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Drive ‘n’ Ride takes place today and tomorrow (November 22 and 23) in Brussels.

Organised by Daimler, Linde, Honda, Intelligent Energy, Opel and Toyota to demonstrate the real-world environmental benefits that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can offer. More than 100 European Union officials, members of the European Parliament and other high-level stakeholders will have the opportunity to experience the reality of clean technology by driving or riding in one of the eight fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) on display in AutoWorld Museum at Parc du Cinquantenaire.

In addition, for the first time in Brussels, a fully mobile and compact hydrogen station, provided by Linde and Daimler, will demonstrate the refuelling process for a hydrogen car and a high-level panel debate will give indursty .

To highlight the reality of bringing hydrogen and FCEVs to the market, the Drive ‘n’ Ride will feature a high-level panel debate on 22 November. Industry representatives and policy makers will discuss how to hit the market in time to reach EU 2020 strategic targets.

So far, a lack of refuelling infrastructure for hydrogen cars remains a crucial challenge for the market. So far, there are approximately 200 fuel stations worldwide (with some 70 being publically accessible) at which fuel cell vehicles can be refuelled with hydrogen.

In Europe it is expected that the first fuel cell cars could hit the market from 2014 onwards, with Daimler planning to be among the first to go into production with a hydrogen-powered model.

“Economic and environmental uncertainties are high in Europe today. Clean and energy efficient technologies such as market ready fuel cell and hydrogen pave the way towards the transformation of our fossil-fuel based economies to a more diverse and energy secure future whilst contributing to a sustainable economic recovery. Only a joint effort of Member States, the EU and the private sector today will put these cars on the road as of 2014”, says the panel’s key speaker, Henri Winand, Chief Executive Officer of Intelligent Energy.

Carmakers participating in the Drive ‘n’ Ride emphasise that in the current economic situation, only public-private partnerships can create the stable framework needed to bridge the gap to full commercialisation. According to the EU, clean technologies offer huge commercial opportunities and a market for innovative transport technologies of €300 billion in 2020 (up from €200 billion today).

There will be plenty of exciting new concepts on display at the Tokyo Motor Show – but Toyota may well steal the show with its latest offering.

The Japanese carmaker will use the show, on its home turf, to unveil the Toyota FCV-R, a next generation hydrogen fuel cell concept vehicle planned for launch in 2015.

Among its features is a fuel cell unit that is located beneath the body so that the saloon style vehicle can accommodate up to four passengers and offer plenty of luggage space. The fuel cell system includes a 70MPa high pressure hydrogen tank with a cruising distance of 435miles.

In addition, Toyota will introduce four other concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show:

- Toyota Aqua: An affordable hybrid car, the Toyota Aqua has fuel efficiency of 82mpg. Its body is less than four metres long, helping the vehicle to offer outstanding handling and enhanced aerodynamic performance. It has a 1.5litre engine with a high output motor and is scheduled for launch in Japan in December, before being rolled out worldwide.

- Toyota FT-EV II: An electric car with an ultra compact package making it well suited to short trips, the Toyota FT-EV II should be deployed in 2012. It includes a lithium-ion battery and achieves an estimated cruising range of 65miles.

- Toyota Fun-Vii: A concept that previews a future where cars, people and society are linked.

- A prototype model of a compact rear-wheel drive vehicle that has been jointly developed with Fuji Heavy Industries.

Ballard Power Systems, based in Canada, has teamed up with BAE Systems and ElDorado National Incorporated, to introduce the seventh generation hydrogen bus from the SunLine Transit Agency. It will be operated in California’s Coachella Valley, where it will provide public transport and community services.

The fuel cell bus is “Buy America” compliant – this certification requires 60 per cent US manufacturing content. In the case of the new American Fuel Cell Bus, the vehicle has more than 90 per cent US-made components. It has been developed as part of the Federal Transit Administration’s National Fuel Cell Bus Programme, which helps the development of commercially viable fuel cell bus technologies and their related infrastructure.

Among the features of the bus is a Ballard FCVelocity-HD6 fuel cell module that was built in Lowell, Massachusetts. It also employs a lithium-ion based energy storage system that increases battery life and helps reduce vehicle weight.

The FCVelocity-HD6 fuel cell module has been designed specifically for bus applications. It includes a heavy duty power module that comes in 75kW and 150kW configurations.

The fuelling for the hydrogen buses, and for hydrogen cars, is supplied by SunLine. Its hydrogen dispensing system is undergoing a type evaluation programme that may make it the first transit commercial public fuelling site for hydrogen.

Fuel cell vehicles are not forgotten – as proved by Toyota signing an agreement with Saitama City to promote the use of next generation vehicles including both electric cars and fuel cell cars.

Known as the E-Kizuna Project, it will be run in partnership with private enterprise with Toyota and the city working together to establish Saitama as an environmental city of the future. It will make use of diverse sources of low carbon energy that are able to withstand natural disasters – and the parties will encourage the use of next generation electric and fuel cell cars to establish a safe and low-carbon lifestyle. 

Under the terms of the agreement they will work together on the development of charging and fuelling safety nets: including creating a user-friendly charging safety net;  investigating hydrogen fuelling infrastructure; and supplying next generation vehicles including fuel cell vehicles.

They will also work on the creation and provision of incentives such as supporting the early introduction of next generation vehicles and investigating and developing various forms of mobility to suit different needs.

Finally, Toyota and the city of Saitama will look at community based and educational activities including: classes on electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles in schools; and offering test drives.

Fuel cell vehicles are ready to be ramped up to commercialisation – and could even break the one million vehicles sold barrier by 2020.

That’s the verdict of a new report by Pike Research which predicts that sales of fuel cell vehicles will reach 1.2million vehicles sold by the end of that year and generate $16.9billion in annual revenue.

Its analysis shows that during the period from 2010-2014 approximately 10,000 vehicles will be deployed. However, from 2015 commercialisation will begin and the firm forecasts 57,000 fuel cell vehicles will be sold in that year alone. This will then ramp up to 390,000 vehicles annually by 2020.

According to Pike, early sales will be focused on areas where infrastructure investments are being made such as the California and New York City regions of the United States; Germany; Japan; South Korea; Scandinavia; and the Shanghai area of China.

The largest market for fuel cell vehicles will be the Asia Pacific region – it will account for more than half of total worldwide sales in 2020. However, the most rapid growth will occur in Western Europe with a compound annual growth rate of almost 53 per cent.

Two English counties have been selected to take part in an exciting trial of hydrogen fuel cell cars.

The councils of neighbouring counties of Shropshire and Herefordshire have signed a ground-breaking deal with UK-based firm Riversimple to trial 30 fuel cell cars from the company.

Both private citizens and businesses will get the chance to test drive the vehicles as part of the trial, as the second testing ground areas to be approved by Ludlow-based Riversimple. The firm already has plans for a trial of thirty cars within the city of Leicester, set to launch in the spring of 2012. It is hoped that if the trials are successful then the cars could eventually be made in the area.

Riversimple first revealed its urban car prototype back in 2009. The two-seater weighs 350kg and has a top speed of 50mph, along with a range of up to 300miles. It is made from carbon fibre and uses a hydrogen fuel cell to generate the electricity to power its motors. The firm calculates that the car would have CO2 emissions of just  31g/km when fuelled with hydrogen produced via steam methane-this compares to around 60g/km CO2 for a typical electric car. Its only tailpipe emission is water vapour.

Customers taking part in the trial will pay a fixed monthly rental and all inclusive per mile charge to use the vehicles, similar to a mobile phone contract. The estimated monthly cost will be around £250 plus a mileage fee, including fuel.

Hugo Spowers, the founder of Riversimple who lives in Herefordshire, said: “We are delighted that Herefordshire and Shropshire have been chosen as they are forward thinking and environmentally aware rural counties situated on the Welsh borders making them ideal areas in which to operate a pilot in parallel with our city trial in Leicester. Like it or not, the age of the fossil fuelled car is nearing its end and for places like Herefordshire and Shropshire to be pioneers as we look to the future is gratifying.”

Riversimple is in the process of second round fundraising, targeting £20 million from investors. The principal backer thus far, the family of Ernst Piech, a member of the Porsche dynasty, are committed to participating.

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne said: "This is an exciting development for Ludlow.  To have a ground-breaking hydrogen fuel cell project in Shropshire, is another example of how innovators in renewable energy are choosing to operate from Ludlow.