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Two leading British technology
companies have agreed to collaborate in a unique project to put
hydrogen-powered, emissions-free vehicles onto UK roads.
ITM Power Plc, Europe’s largest
electrolyser and fuel cell development company, and Roush Technologies
Ltd, one of the world’s foremost automotive design, engineering and
development groups, have signed a co-operative agreement which could see
CO2-free, hydrogen-fuelled commercial vehicles being marketed
in Britain within months.
Roush Technologies, which already has
extensive experience in the commercial vehicle sector, will be
responsible for both adapting existing internal combustion-engined
vehicles and researching the development of new power units to utilise
hydrogen fuel.
ITM Power, meanwhile, will provide the
breakthrough refuelling solution by enabling vehicle operators to
generate their own hydrogen supplies. The company’s development of a
hydrogen refuelling station, currently in the final stage of
development, will overcome the current lack of a national hydrogen
station infrastructure in the UK.
A patented state-of-the-art
electrolyser, due to enter production at a special facility in Sheffield
later this year, is at the heart of the refuelling station. It can
produce hydrogen from water and either off-peak or ‘renewable’ energy –
electricity generated by wind, wave or solar power. Unlike petrol or
diesel, when hydrogen burns it releases no CO2, merely water
vapour.
Jim Heathcote, CEO of ITM Power,
commented: “This is a significant co-operative agreement between two
companies who are committed to bringing practical hydrogen power into
the automotive market place within a dramatically reduced timeframe.
Whilst it initially involves the commercial vehicle sector, it will
demonstrate the wider potential of hydrogen technology to help cut CO2
emissions and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.”
Speaking on behalf of Roush
Technologies, Andrew Williams, Executive Chairman, added: "Both our
companies recognise that bringing emission-free energy technologies
forward and to market, requires an integrated approach. This involves
the production and supply chain for the fuel – together with the
development and applications engineering which enables its effective
usage. In context therefore, this agreement acknowledges the
considerable synergy between us, and the major benefits and
opportunities which will flow from it.”
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