Haydale, a leading provider of advanced materials solutions, has announced its key role in supporting Viritech’s efforts to develop fuel cell hydrogen electric vehicles (FCHEVs).
Viritech, a renowned developer of high-performance hydrogen powertrain solutions for the automotive industry, has secured a significant position in Ford Motor Company’s three-year hydrogen fuel cell E-Transit trial. Haydale will spearhead the development of new functionalized materials and resins for Type V pressure vessels, complementing Viritech’s proprietary integrated mounting system called Graph-Pro™.
While Type V hydrogen pressure vessels are not yet commercially available, they hold the potential for substantial weight reduction by eliminating the need for an inner liner—a requirement in current composite pressure vessels to maintain impermeability. Through the utilization of Haydale’s advanced graphene-enhanced carbon fiber material, impermeable pressure vessels can be constructed, offering enhanced performance and safety.
The FCVGEN2.0 project awarded to Ford aims to design, develop, and assemble a fleet of eight hydrogen fuel cell-powered Transit vans. Funding for the project is provided by The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), with £8 million granted by the government and matched by industry contributions, totaling £16.3 million.
Keith Broadbent, CEO of Haydale, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Haydale is delighted to collaborate with Viritech on this research project, and we are committed to advancing the development of new materials for Type V pressure vessels. This partnership will play a significant role in introducing cutting-edge storage solutions, developed in the UK, to the automotive market.”
Timothy Lyons, CEO of Viritech, emphasized the importance of this endeavor, remarking, “This represents a tremendous opportunity, and Viritech is thrilled to collaborate with Haydale in this next phase of hydrogen technology development. FCHEVs will play a critical role in decarbonizing commercial vehicles, thus contributing significantly to sustainable transportation.”
The development of fuel cell hydrogen electric vehicles holds great promise in the realm of sustainable transportation. By leveraging advanced materials and innovative technologies, such as those being pioneered by Haydale and Viritech, the automotive industry can make significant strides towards achieving decarbonization goals. As the world shifts towards cleaner and more efficient transportation solutions, the role of FCHEVs is poised to become increasingly vital.
