British Hydrogen Truck Ready for Test Trials

British hydrogen fuel-cell heavy goods vehicle maker, HVS, has delivered its first test mule truck to begin commercial trials.

The company hopes its X1.5 will be the proof-of-concept marking the phase to bring the UK’s first full-sized hydrogen HGV to market. The vehicle will test the same “state-of-the-art” hydrogen fuel cell as will be used in the production trucks and be tested on dyno-rigs ahead of closed track testing prototypes that will quickly follow.

Development of the X1.5 follows the successful launch of the company’s HGV technology demonstrator in April this year. Designed and engineered from a clean sheet approach, HVS’ zero-emission hydrogen electric truck targets the hardest-to-abate section of the transport industry, heavy haulage. HGVs currently make up 1.5% of all vehicles on the road yet produce 19% of the emissions. HVS’ range of truck claim to emit just 693ml of water per kilometer as a by-product of the hydrogen fuel-cell producing electricity.

John McKenna, chief technical officer, HVS, said: “The team and I are thrilled that the X1.5 engineering prototype has arrived at our test facility, and we can now begin the vital development phase of testing the hydrogen fuel-cell technology on the dyno-rig. Maximizing the performance of the fuel cell is a key step ahead of beginning on-track testing and bringing this exciting new HGV to market.”

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