British fuel cell developer Intelligent Energy has introduced a new hydrogen fuel cell system to pave the way for zero-emission passenger cars, according to Fuel Cell Works.
Hydrogen fuel cell breakthrough
Intelligent Energy’s newly developed hydrogen fuel cell system is smaller and more potent than any solution currently available on the passenger car market.
The company designed its patented IE-DRIVE™ system to offer passenger automakers “direct access to the smaller, more powerful, turnkey and commercially-viable hydrogen fuel cell solution” for a sustainable mobility future.
The first-of-its-kind single-stack platform debuted in a Changan UK SUV during a launch event in Intelligent Energy’s Loughborough headquarters.
“With 25% of all passenger cars expected to have hydrogen fuel cell powertrains, this clean technology represents the future. I’m proud that, as an independent and privately-owned company, Intelligent Energy has developed a breakthrough solution that can open up the market for passenger car manufacturers that need to package a more powerful system into their vehicles.”
David Woolhouse, Intelligent Energy’s Chief Executive
Key qualities
Intelligent Energy’s IE-DRIVE™ platform offers more enticing advantages compared to other fuel cell systems available today, including the following:
| Key Attributes | IE-DRIVE™ platform |
| More power | It yields up to 157kW gross electrical power, higher than any other single-stack application available today. |
| Smaller | The patented direct water injection tech enables DRIVE to be up to 30% smaller than its counterparts at equal net power output. The test SUV only measured 0.34m², yet it cruised 130km/h in peak temperatures and hit a 90km/h speed even in a long, steep hill. |
| Simpler | The direct water injection system enabled the system to have fewer components, resulting in lower material bills. For instance, it eliminated the need for a humidifier and related parts. |
| Turnkey | It is a turnkey solution for automakers owing to its complete fuel cell system and ability to meet passenger cars’ low bonnet requirements. The system consists of the fuel cell stack, electronic control unit, heat exchanger, and Balance of Plant (BOP). |
| Commercially-viable | It is expected to cost about 100 GBP per kW by 2030, undercutting BEV solutions and matching ICE-powered cars’ prices. |
Moving forward
Intelligent Energy forecasts that the global fuel cell market for passenger cars and vans will be worth $750 billion (£596 billion) by 2040.
Therefore, automakers’ potential adoption of the innovative IE-DRIVE™ fuel cell technology can enable Intelligent Energy to expand its manufacturing output in the East Midlands.
It could generate numerous job opportunities in the area, potentially boosting the UK economy.
Intelligent Energy is currently a leader in hydrogen fuel cell development and production, having 600 patents in place.
