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PSA Peugeot Citroën has developed a Peugeot Partner Origin ‘hybrid’ van powered by an electric battery with a hydrogen fuel cell range extender.
The Intelligent Energy 10kWe fuel cell system, specifically designed for the vehicle, means that the range of the electric vehicle is trebled, to 300km. The fuel cell is compact enough to fit under the bonnet of a small delivery vehicle and the vehicle can be started at temperatures as low as -20°C.
Compressed hydrogen is stored in an exchangeable rack; PSA Peugeot Citroën says that this avoids the need to refuel at a traditional fuel station.
The zero emissions urban delivery demonstrator vehicle is the outcome of the three year H2Origin collaborative research project.
Henri Winand, CEO of Intelligent Energy, commented: “Our fuel cell expertise and systems integration capabilities have been proven yet again in developing the power system and incorporating it into this vehicle. We have made the fuel cell system robust and compact enough for real-world clean motoring applications, and have gained invaluable experience through the collaboration with PSA Peugeot Citroën.”
Jean Pierre Goedgebuer, Scientific Director of PSA Peugeot Citroën, said:
“As a leader in low carbon vehicles, we have already demonstrated several zero emissions vehicles. The Intelligent Energy fuel cell in the H2Origin extends its range from approximately 100km to three times that distance. This sort of range increases the attractiveness of electric vehicles for urban delivery, which is one of the most promising future markets for electric vehicles.”
The Technology Strategy Board part-funded the project; £1.7 million was allocated to Intelligent Energy and its UK partners for the design of the fuel cell system.
