A Land Rover Defender sits on show on the opening day of the IAA Frankfurt Motor Present in Frankfurt, Germany, on September 10, 2019.Krisztian Boc
A Land Rover Defender sits on show on the opening day of the IAA Frankfurt Motor Present in Frankfurt, Germany, on September 10, 2019.
Krisztian Bocsi | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures
Jaguar Land Rover mentioned Tuesday it was engaged on the prototype of a hydrogen gasoline cell electrical car, with testing of the idea slated to start out later this 12 months.
The car might be primarily based on the brand new model of the corporate’s Land Rover Defender, and is a part of JLR’s broader try to satisfy a goal of zero tailpipe emissions by the 12 months 2036. Testing of the car will concentrate on areas corresponding to gasoline consumption and off-road capabilities.
In an announcement, the corporate — which is owned by Tata Motors — described gasoline cell electrical automobiles as being “complimentary to battery electrical automobiles … on the journey to internet zero car emissions.”
“Hydrogen-powered FCEVs present excessive power density and speedy refuelling, and minimal lack of vary in low temperatures, making the know-how splendid for bigger, longer-range automobiles, or these operated in sizzling or chilly environments,” the corporate added.
As governments try to cut back emissions and enhance city air high quality, the automobiles individuals use do look set to vary.
The U.Ok., as an illustration, plans to cease the sale of latest diesel and gasoline automobiles from 2030. From the 12 months 2035, all new automobiles and vans might want to have zero tailpipe emissions.
Firms corresponding to JLR are, slowly however certainly, making an attempt to adapt to this new actuality. Earlier this 12 months, the agency introduced its Jaguar model would go all-electric from the 12 months 2025. The enterprise additionally mentioned its Land Rover phase would roll out six “pure electrical variants” over the following 5 years.
Hydrogen’s ‘function to play’
Described by the Worldwide Power Company as a “versatile power provider,” hydrogen has a various vary of purposes and may be deployed in sectors corresponding to business and transport.
Examples of its use within the transportation sector embrace hydrogen buses in cities corresponding to London and Aberdeen, whereas hydrogen gasoline cell airplanes have additionally taken flight lately.
Simply final week, plans to construct a sea-going ferry powered utilizing hydrogen gasoline cells superior after it was introduced {that a} business contract for the event of an idea design had been awarded.
“We all know hydrogen has a task to play sooner or later powertrain combine throughout the entire transport business, and alongside battery electrical automobiles,” Ralph Clague, head of hydrogen and gasoline cells for Jaguar Land Rover, mentioned in a press release.
Clague went on so as to add that it supplied “one other zero tailpipe emission answer for the precise capabilities and necessities” of JLR’s car line-up.
Jaguar Land Rover shouldn’t be the one automotive firm to take a look at hydrogen-powered automobiles. Different producers which have dipped into the hydrogen gasoline cell market embrace Toyota and Honda, whereas smaller companies corresponding to Riversimple are additionally engaged on hydrogen powered automobiles.