Ford Transit vans retrofitted with ULEMCo’s hydrogen gas system achieved 59g/km CO2 under test, representing a 70% reduction on the unconverted equivalent vehicle. Tailpipe emissions also showed a 40% reduction in harmful NOx.
ULEMCo hopes the news will appeal to companies looking to reduce the impact of their vehicles on air quality and climate change. It is predicted that hydrogen equipped vehicles will be exempt from the London Congestion Charge.
According to ULEMCo, range anxiety is eliminated with the fuel conversion as the vehicles can run for approximately 200 miles on hydrogen, and automatically switch to diesel fuel when the store of hydrogen is used up. Importantly, the conversion kit takes up no cargo space as it fits underneath the vehicle, and the van’s driving performance is not affected.
A further benefit is that emissions using hydrogen fuel have a zero particulate level, extending the time needed between DPF cycles, particularly when the vehicle is used for typical short, stop/start duties.
The conversion equipment is designed to be fitted to standard commercial vans, and can be switched between vehicles as fleets are updated.
While the major reason for adopting the system is to reduce emissions from diesel engines, part of the cost will be offset by lower running costs from the more efficient hydrogen-fuelled engines, and other reduced operating costs. Plans are in place to introduce a network of hydrogen refilling stations as use of the fuel takes off.
‘We are delighted that our hydrogen powered vans meet the requirements of the VCA,' commented CEO of ULEMCo, Amanda Lyne. 'The way is now open for us to roll out the system to fleet operators looking to dramatically reduce their diesel emissions, in line with the overall UK commitment to reducing the impact on air quality and climate change.’
ULEMCo has been supported on a number of occasions by the Government’s technology experts at Innovate UK, and ULEMCo and its partners already support a fleet of 20 vehicles across a range of hydrogen hubs in the UK.