PSA Peugeot Citroen has joined forces with a company called Intelligent Energy, to develop fuel cell power systems for cars and vans. Three years after the partnership was formed, PSA has released the first outcome, a new zero emissions Peugeot Partner H2Origin van that is powered by the latest generation Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

PSA Peugeot Citroen has revealed the results of its three-year hydrogen fuel development programme in the form of the H2Origin Partner van.

This H2Origin van is the sixth fuel-cell vehicle built by PSA since 2000. This new-generation 10kW system delivers a range of 300Km, three times that of a conventional battery-powered electric vehicle. The compact design for both the fuel cell stack and ancillary equipment enables integration into the front engine bay in place of the internal combustion engine. The vehicle can also start at temperatures as low as minus 20°C, representing a major advance for a fuel-cell powered vehicle.

PSA claims that a new 700-bar hydrogen storage system enhances mobility and makes the vehicle easier to operate. Up to 70 per cent more hydrogen can be carried on board, without any increase in the size or weight of the storage tanks. The hydrogen tanks are mounted on a sliding rack under the rear cargo area, making it fast and easy to swap in new ones. This offers a practical alternative to refuelling at a service station and eliminates a major obstacle to the development of hydrogen vehicles.

With the Peugeot Partner H2Origin, PSA Peugeot Citroen is demonstrating its commitment to actively exploring the various emerging energy possibilities. This intelligence is in line with the consensus among experts and industry observers that mass production automotive fuel cells could become a reality towards 2020.

PSA Peugeot Citroen recognises that the use of hydrogen as a fuel source is currently still in its infancy. The company believes that there are still major obstacles that must be overcome, including affordability.

It believes that progress will require a commitment by governments and relevant organisations, as well as a shift in energy policy. In the meantime however, the H2Origin demonstrator has enabled PSA Peugeot Citroen to further advance up the automotive fuel cell learning curve, to be ready to move forward with fuel-cell based ZEV solutions as soon as market conditions and the energy environment allow.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment