First Hydrogen and Rivus reveal road trial findings
First Hydrogen has issued the first data report on its hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) trials in collaboration with fleet management provider, Rivus.
According to trial analysis, the van achieved 311 miles on a 10.3kg tank of hydrogen, which would make it a viable power option for fleet operators – according to the firms involved. The hydrogen fuel cell was used more on certain types of journeys and less in others across the four week trial.
Engineers at Rivus covered more than 700 miles of testing, totalling over 47 hours of driving, in a variety of conditions and routes, including city driving, extra urban routes, and combined routes that feature high and low-speed driving.
Rivus also tested the van both empty and loaded to 90% of its maximum weight capacity, reflecting how vans will be used in the real world.
The Hydrogen UK Transport Working Group predicts fuel costs are expected to decrease to £7.47 per kg by 2025 and as low as £4.09/kg by the end of the decade, which in the case of First Hydrogen’s vehicle equates to a cost of 13.7p per mile on current predictions.
First Hydrogen’s Automotive CEO, Steve Gill said: “We are delighted that Rivus has managed to prove that this technology can be a viable option for many fleets.
“The trial also showed that the vehicle ran with excellent efficiency, comfortably achieving more than a 500km range on a single tank of fuel, exceeding the early performance expectations we set for real world driving. We have always been confident that our vehicle will offer benefits to fleets, and this first trial is evidence of just that.”
Image courtesy of First Hydrogen
