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Intelligent Energy Awarded Grant by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC)

By October 16, 2019 4   min read  (665 words)

October 16, 2019 |

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Government funding secured for continued development of Intelligent Energy high power fuel cells for vehicles

  • Intelligent Energy has been awarded a grant by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) that supports the UK Government’s drive to achieve net zero carbon by 2050.
  • Intelligent Energy will partner with Changan UK Ltd and Alexander Dennis Ltd in integrating high power, low cost, fuel cell systems into SUVs and buses.
  • This grant will enable Intelligent Energy to expand manufacturing and develop the UK fuel cell system supply chain.

Loughborough–Intelligent Energy, the UK fuel cell engineering company, will lead an APC programme that brings to market full fuel cell powertrains integrated into SUVs and buses.

APC has announced it will fund a programme that integrates Intelligent Energy’s latest generation high powered fuel cell system into SUVs for Changan, China’s 4th largest car manufacturer, and buses for ADL, the UK’s leading bus manufacturer.

Under the programme, fuel cell stacks and systems in the range of 30kW to 120kW will be developed based on Intelligent Energy’s high-power metal plate fuel cell technology and proven in bus and passenger car applications. In addition, a production capability will be established which will enable the fuel cell stacks and systems to be made available to other OEM’s.

In a market that is growing month on month, it is vital that OEMs have a choice of fuel cell systems and components that maximise the use of vehicle space, whilst delivering competitive advantage in cost and performance.

Intelligent Energy’s high power fuel cell systems support the market requirement for compelling solutions in both passenger and commercial vehicle applications where space is at a premium. Due to the compact design of Intelligent Energy’s system, customers will be able to achieve greater power compared to existing high-powered fuel cells without compromising on existing vehicle design. This optimised, compact design with reduced balance-of-plant will ultimately offer a highly competitive option for automakers looking to produce fuel cell powertrains at volume.

David Woolhouse, CEO of Intelligent Energy, commented: “This APC award comes at just the right time for Intelligent Energy. UK Government support provides a strong platform for our automotive ambitions. Fuel cell electric vehicle deployment is key if the automotive industry is to meet low carbon targets. The time is right for the industry to welcome new drivetrain solutions and we look forward to working with our partners, Changan and Alexander Dennis, as well as future partners who can benefit from this technology. The UK is well placed to be a leading manufacturer of fuel cell powertrains, and Intelligent Energy is proud to invest in jobs directly and through our suppliers to support that growth”.

Intelligent Energy, part of the Meditor group of companies, is based on over 30 years of fuel cell development. In recent years it has focused on developing compact, low cost, standard products across all power ranges from 650W to 120kW. This APC award is the catalyst for a period of further investment and growth and opens opportunities with other automotive OEMs and customers in adjacent markets.

With a re-fuelling experience similar to internal combustion engine vehicles and a longer driving range compared to battery-powered vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles offer significant benefits for both passenger and commercial segments.

About Intelligent Energy

Intelligent Energy is focused on the development and manufacture of its Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell products for customers in the automotive, aerospace, generator, telecoms, materials handling and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sectors. Intelligent Energy is built on 30 years of PEM fuel cell development. Following acquisition by Meditor Energy, part of the Meditor Group, in October 2017 Meditor has accelerated investment to facilitate further development and commercialisation of the technology and expansion of the product offering. The company is headquartered and manufactures in Loughborough in the UK, with additional offices and representation in the US, Japan, China and South Korea. www.intelligent-energy.com

 

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