Public Funding for Hydrogen Vehicle Systems Ltd

This project will result in the development and deployment of a zero-emission hydrogen-electric autonomous HGV. This addresses two major technological trends within the automotive industry and offers significant R&D and business opportunities for the consortium members. HVS (OEM) will produce new autonomous vehicle designs and powertrain packaging. Fusion (Tier 1) will build on its previous autonomous bus project, converting its market-leading technology to the HGV sector. Asda (Operator) will act as the end-user/operator of the vehicles, but will also work with the consortium to develop a new logistics and driver model based on the opportunities autonomous HGVs offer. This project will deliver an all-new autonomous HGV for the UK market, enabling significant efficiency and operational cost savings for logistics operators. The project will facilitate the early adoption of zero-tailpipe emission vehicles in a heavily polluting sector, through increased economic attractiveness and lifecycle total cost of ownership (TCO) parity with diesel for the HGV hub to hub operation. By including the vehicle OEM, the Tier 1 supplier and the operator/end-user, this consortium overcomes significant barriers to bringing this technology to successful deployment and has a clear route to market. Fusion are the market-leading provider of proven AV technology for the bus sector, having successfully launched the UK's first autonomous bus on a public route in 2022\. Working with the end user, Asda, the project will address the growing HGV driver shortage by offering better working conditions, improved skills development for remote/safety drivers, increasing recruitment among women and people with disabilities, as well as increasing operational safety. The autonomous technology for HGV long-haul enables a new logistics model to be implemented that makes better use of the existing UK road network, optimises time-shifted delivery, addresses driver working hour limits, and enables reductions in average speeds (increasing safety, noise pollution and efficiency) all of which feed into reducing TCO for the operator and offer significant environmental benefits.

This project will deliver an efficient and production-ready Fuel Cell/Battery Hybrid (FCEV) powertrain. The consortium will undertake R&D and productization of the full vehicle powertrain, covering engineering, testing and development. Technical challenges addressed include integrating mature electric powertrain components, largely from the UK supply chain, into a production-ready powertrain for the HGV market. This innovative project will result in a fully functional integrated FCEV powertrain for the UK's first indigenous hydrogen-powered HGV and will contribute to the UK's ambition to decarbonise the HGV sector as described in the UK's Hydrogen Strategy.

HV Systems are a pre-revenue OEM of Hydrogen-powered Commercial Vehicles. We have teamed up with a leading supermarket who are actively seeking practical medium-heavy duty solutions to help decarbonise their vehicle fleet. To achieve this, HVS will finalise the build and pre-deployment preparation of the HVS MCV; a medium-duty, 5-tonne N2 Category commercial vehicle, in readiness for operational demonstration with our engaged end-user in Q1 2022\. We aim to operate the MCV in a controlled environment, between our end-user's 19 superstores and main distribution centre within the Tees Valley. This will enable us to assess the HVS MCV against key performance indicators: * Range/Consumption * Speed/Acceleration * Driver Feedback (Comfort/Ergonomics/Safety/Drivability) * Vehicle Functionality * Refuelling Time/Operations * Regenerative Benefits * Payload Competitor analysis will show the benefits and highlight the challenges/improvements required following the demonstration period.

The project will develop an innovative zero-emission Emergency Ambulance, purpose-designed from the ground up, overcoming inherent limitations of existing ICE vehicle conversions. HV SYSTEMS LTD (HVS) HVS are a Glasgow-based vehicle design house and systems integrator, bringing together the latest technology from around the world to produce, zero-emission, affordable, commercial vehicles. HVS are developing vehicles to serve the medium-to-heavy vehicle sectors, powered by green hydrogen to aid the decarbonisation of the transport sector. HVS work with leading technology and component suppliers to deliver modular fuel cell powertrain and chassis solutions that allow the wider transport industry to meet ambitious emission reduction targets of -15% by 2025, -30% by 2030, followed by a full zero-emission fleet by 2040\. FORESIGHT INNOVATIONS LTD Foresight are investigating how its innovative, lightweight composite materials can be combined with cutting edge technologies that deliver exciting developments to the transport sector. These developments will ultimately improve operation efficiency and payload capability as well as re-shoring manufacturing capacity and capabilities to the UK. THE TEAM The project team comprises highly experienced industry specialist in the fields of; automotive design and manufacture, renewable energy supply and sustainability and commercial vehicle procurement and fleet management. The team will also be utilising the expertise of subcontractor Hypermotive, a UK industry leader in Fuel Cell and Electrical Integration for the automotive industry. The team also comprises several members who have previously completed full vehicle programs from initial 'blank sheet conception, through to full production, alongside multiple other OEM, Niche and specialist vehicle programmes.

HV Systems Ltd (HVS) designs hydrogen electric vans and heavy goods vehicles. It plans to use hydrogen-electric technology in a range of vans and trucks, which are intended to produce zero emissions. HVS are working with road haulage companies to help them deliver goods sustainably. The lockdown has seen up to a 50% decrease in UK pollution levels, largely due to reduction in vehicle usage. Our project aims to facilitate the decarbonising of the road haulage sector with the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell "HV-Trucks" to uphold the environmental benefits observed from the COVID-19 lockdown. HV-Truck will have a capacity of up to 44 tonnes and is the main development goal for HVS. It will be a hydrogen-electric truck with a range of 1100km offering rapid refuelling. The truck will be positioned as a direct competitor to, and replacement for, diesel-powered vehicles.