ULEMCo, the hydrogen fuel cell specialist has started developing with the FC fuel cell module from the Toyota Motor Corporation. It produces a range of optimised hydrogen fuel cell solutions for electric vehicle applications. As the first step, ULEMCo obtains a fuel cell for evaluation under the feasibility project HySPERT (Hydrogen Special Purpose Electric vehicle platform for Refuse collection and fire Trucks).
Hydrogen fuel cell technology
The Toyota fuel cell has been selected by ULEMCo using their extensive experience of fuel cell technologies, as it promises easier and faster integration and is a good fit for the application. ULEMCo is developing a platform approach under its HyVERIE brand, which takes a flexible approach to configure fuel cell electric vehicle solutions that the company can configure on chassis gliders or bespoke specialist body designs. It enables an optimised ‘fit for purpose’ design in a range of applications – something that the company believes the major automotive OEMs will not tackle for some time to come.
Bespoke vehicle design
ULEMCo is building its capability to offer a variety of hydrogen-based solutions that directly meet customer/operator needs, rather than provide a single design approach. The company is developing an understanding of the real-world use and duty cycles of specialist heavy-duty vehicle applications. ULEMCo became involved after a rigorous selection process, and it now has access to extensive expertise from Toyota Motors Japan and technical support.
Efficient battery and hydrogen fuel cell solutions
‘We are excited to be at the start of this important collaboration,’ said Amanda Lyne, Managing Director of ULEMCo. ‘I firmly believe that a ‘horses for courses’ approach is needed for us to decarbonise transport completely for net-zero. In heavy vehicles, we have relied for many years on engine technology and one fuel (diesel) that was cheap but inefficient. With battery and hydrogen solutions, we need to be efficient and effective with our resources. Smaller specialist companies like ULEMCo have a real opportunity to innovate and fill the ‘gaps’ that the big OEMs are just not able to fulfil.’
