A team of engineers from Delft University of Technology is attempting to set a new distance record for a hydrogen powered vehicle on a single filling of hydrogen, with Eco Runner XI – an urban concept car fitted with lightweight gas cylinders from AMS Composite Cylinders.
The attempt will be made on 5th – 6th July 2021 at the R&TC track in Helmond– when Eco-Runner will attempt to break the record set by the Toyota Mirai, which covered 623 miles (1002.6km) without refuelling during the Paris de l’hydrogène exhibition earlier in June.
To achieve the goal, Eco Runner XI has been fitted with two ultra-lightweight, high pressure (300 bar) Type 3 carbon composite cylinders from AMS Composite Cylinders. The 9L cylinders hold a total of around 450g of hydrogen when full.
The distance record attempts follows the Eco-Runner team’s victory at the 2021 Hydrogen Efficiency Challenge on June 11th – where it achieved an incredible efficiency of 3,396 km/kg, beating other hydrogen vehicle teams from across Holland.
Reinout Sterk, Chief Engineer at Eco-Runner, explains:
“We’ve already proved Eco-Runner XI has the efficiency required – now it’s about being able to deliver that over an extended period. At an average speed of 40km/hour, it’s going to be a real test of endurance for the vehicle and team!
“When it comes to efficiency challenges, weight matters, and we needed a gas cylinder that was lightweight, durable and space efficient. AMS Composite Cylinders were the ideal solution – the 300 bar pressure gives us the extra capacity we need without taking up extra space.”
Founded in 2005 by a team of Aerospace Engineering Students, Eco-Runner Team Delft is committed to promoting a sustainable future by building the world’s most efficient hydrogen powered city car. Eco-Runner XI is the latest in a series of vehicles that has successfully competed in eco-marathons and hydrogen efficiency events across the world.
Eco-Runner XI is the first vehicle from the team to compete as an Urban Concept vehicle – a category that requires the vehicle to have familiar road car features, such as windscreen wipers, lights and a luggage compartment. Previously, the team had competed in the Prototype class, which had no such restrictions.
AMS Composite Cylinders have a proven history in innovative hydrogen fuel cell applications, having supplied lightweight Type 3 cylinders to Europe’s first hydrogen powered drone, and the world’s first hydrogen e-bike for the G7 summit in 2019.
The company supplies state of the art, lightweight gas cylinders to clients across the UK and Europe. AMS Type 3 carbon composite cylinders offer high pressure (300 Bar), ultra-low weight, and optional NLL (Non-Limited Life) performance. They are produced to recognised global standards and accreditations, including ISO 11119-2, UN-TPED Pi, DOT (USA) and TC (Canada).
AMS cylinders are in widespread use across a wide range of healthcare, emergency, breathing air, aviation, speciality gas and hydrogen fuel cell applications.
Read the most up to date Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Industry news at FuelCellsWorks
