Hydrogen fuel cell HGV firm Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) has delivered its first trailer pull in the latest milestone of its vehicle testing and development programme.
Its second test vehicle, X2.0, undertook its first test run on the high-speed track at UTAC, Millbrook, powered by green hydrogen fuel.
The vehicle is one of a series of prototypes, which each testing phase focusing on different aspects of the vehicle design and will be used alongside computer-aided engineering models.
The latest truck will provide crucial real-world test track data, which when combined with dyno test data gathered to date, will be used to refine the vehicle set-up and provide systems calibration and optimisation.
The UK-built prototypes, all feature the HVS Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powertrain which delivers fast refuelling, heavier payloads and long range, the truck offers comparable performance to traditionally fuelled commercial vehicles, while emitting only water from the tailpipe.
The water emissions were visible on the test day, demonstrating that the fuel cells are working as expected.
John McKenna, Chief Technical Officer at HVS, said: “It’s less than one year on from launching our HGV technology demonstrator, and we are already on the test track showing our incredible progress with our first trailer pull with a HVS fuel cell truck.
“It is the culmination of the team’s hard work and commitment, and the support of our key development suppliers, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved in this milestone moment of our test programme. I can’t wait to see what more this vehicle can do.”
Image courtesy of HVS
