Revolutionizing Light Electric Vehicles with Hydrogen Fuel Cell Range Extender
Key Ideas
  • Viritech is conducting a study to explore the potential of using a hydrogen fuel cell range extender to enhance the range of light electric vehicles.
  • The project aims to address the limitations of battery electric vehicles in challenging environments and duty cycles by integrating portable sub-5kW fuel cells.
  • The initiative, supported by grants from various organizations, seeks to establish a commercially viable zero-emissions solution for niche vehicle mobility applications.
  • By combining fuel cell technology with existing battery packs, Viritech hopes to create new opportunities for fuel cells in the light electric vehicle market.
Viritech has initiated a project to investigate the utilization of a hydrogen fuel cell range extender (REX) to enhance the range of light on-and-off highway electric vehicles. The objective is to expand the operating capabilities of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in scenarios where current range and payload demands are excessive. Traditional BEVs for last-mile delivery have faced challenges with limited range and demanding duty cycles in urban and rural settings. Viritech aims to increase vehicle range significantly by incorporating portable sub-5kW fuel cells while minimizing weight and payload impact. The company hopes this initiative will demonstrate the feasibility of a fuel cell REX powertrain for light electric vehicles, aiding in the transition to emission-free mobility. The project, supported by grants from The Department for Business and Trade, The Advanced Propulsion Centre, and Niche Vehicle Network, aims to explore the practicality of deploying portable fuel cells in niche vehicle mobility applications to meet regulatory and automotive duty cycle requirements. By integrating fuel cells as range extenders for L-Cat vehicles, Viritech aims to expand their potential use cases and capabilities beyond the current restrictions faced by battery electric last-mile delivery vehicles. The goal is to develop a commercially viable zero-emissions solution by combining proven portable fuel cells with existing battery packs. This groundbreaking approach could open up a new market for fuel cell technology, contributing to the global shift towards zero-emissions mobility. Timothy Lyons, the Founder & CEO of Viritech, expressed enthusiasm for the project's potential to drive decarbonization in the automotive sector and appreciated the support from various organizations for exploring innovative solutions in zero-emissions mobility.
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