Hydrogen Truckmaker Reveals Flexible Modular Platform

A British hydrogen-powered truckmaker reveals its latest modular vehicle platform claiming maximum flexibility from a single base vehicle.

Hydrogen Vehicle Systems’ (HVS) tractor unit will be available with two different types of e-axle, medium power and high power, and with up to three hydrogen tanks, depending on the customer’s range requirements. In addition, the hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain can be specified with two different power outputs depending on required payload and mission requirements.

The platform is built on a fixed wheelbase, which means the vehicle’s footprint does not change, irrespective of specification. It claims a spacious driver’s cab in any guise. The vehicle’s design includes a suspended cab at the front and a fixed tower at the rear, housing thermal and powertrain systems.

This break from the industry-standard tradition of variable cab types and sizes, depending on overall vehicle size, means that even the smallest variants have the same cab accommodation as the largest models.

HVS says it is developing new hydrogen drivetrains for its future vehicles, with a focus on delivering maximum power and range for each operational duty class. It claims its modular platform offers the latest available technology meaning that its 4x2 tractor unit provides a competitive, zero-emission range of up to 370 miles (595 km).

Pete Clarke, head of design at HVS said: “We’re offering maximum modularity within a single base vehicle platform, and we would never have been able to achieve this level of flexibility and optimization with a diesel-powertrain derived vehicle design.”