LCV Hydrogen Powertrains Boosted with FEV/First Hydrogen Tie-Up

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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27th May 2022

Zero emissions vehicle specialist First Hydrogen has extended its consulting relationship with FEV Group of Aachen Germany to accelerate adoption among operators of LVCs.

It is developing its fleet of bespoke hydrogen fuel cell powered utility vehicles based on its proprietary designs.

The company hopes the agreement with FEV will enable it to plan the definitive designs and production facilities of its vehicles. FEV will advise on target product specifications, software led functionality, including ADAS and autonomous driving systems, connectivity, electrics and electronics architecture, and assessment of the product concept hardware options  in terms of design, layout, materials, manufacturing and platform modularity.

In April 2022, the UK government announced plans to double hydrogen production to 10 GW by 2030, with at least 5 GW to come from green hydrogen (produced in electrolysers which split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity generated by wind and other renewables). First Hydrogen plans to contribute to these targets with up to four production sites, each with a refuelling station for commercial vehicles and  passenger cars. Initial production capacity estimates are between 80 MW to 160 MW for the four sites.

Nicholas Wrigley, chairman First Hydrogen, said: “We are very excited as First Hydrogen Automotive takes another step forward to decarbonization and providing a sustainable energy-powered vehicle. We are using MAN eTGE vans for our demonstrators to build customer following and bespoke design references and this new phase of development will define First Hydrogen’s own vehicle design interior and exterior, optimized for hydrogen and fuel cell powertrains. Our Energy Division is working to develop refuelling and green hydrogen production sites in Liverpool, Manchester, London and the Thames Estuary, which will serve our customers’ fleet of vehicles and other users of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_