Hydrogen-powered vans go on trial...and sale

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/FleetVan/sto ... sale/52205" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Royal Mail is to trial Ford Transit vans powered by hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines.

The two vans, built by specialist engineering firm Revolve, will be taking part in a six-month trial at Stornaway in Scotland, after being purchased by Cenex, the Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel-Cell Technologies.

The vans, based on the 2.3-litre petrol variant, have a supercharger added, while either two or three hydrogen tanks are fitted under the load-floor so not impacting on cargo space.

However, the tanks weigh 250kg, which must be subtracted from the payload.

As well as the Royal Mail trials, the vehicle is now being offered for sale or lease by Revolve, although bosses said development was still under way.

Paul Turner, technical director at Revolve, admitted that selling the vans wasn’t going to be easy.

“Fleets won’t buy them because there is no re-fuelling infrastructure and the garages won’t create an infrastructure because there are no hydrogen vans for sale," he said.

"We have decided to stand up and do something and hopefully in the future things will improve.”

It is aiming the vans at city-based fleets.

The vans have a range of about 85 miles but also retain the original petrol tank, so won’t be left stranded.

Revolve is covering the usual warranty on the engine and hydrogen parts while Ford is guaranteeing the rest.

At present, ordering a single van from Revolve would cost fleets £45,000 over the normal Transit price, but fleets will be offered a discount for bulk buying

[opgpat]

Hydrogen vehicals are a gimmick. The Hydrogen fuel is produced by using traditional fossil fuels so the net damage done to the atmosphere per mile in a Hydrogen car compared to new efficient petrol or diesel is only slightly better, the same, or worse depending on what you read. Only true benifit is cleaner emmissions from the vehical itself which is handy for air quality in towns and cities. But as for saving the plannet it's not even close and according to some there's no future in it.

handy link!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_v ... Production" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mangonuts]

Hydrogen is also a by-product of Nuclear powers stations!!! Planning permission for your back garden will be fraught though!!!

[pickaname]

Hmmm...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE9UpU8PDIE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Hmmm...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE9UpU8PDIE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not being picky but the Hindenburg was not powered by Hydrogen, it was powered by normal engines at various points throughout its structure. The Hydrogen merely provided the lift to get it airborne, apart from the lift caused because it was lighter than air, the hydrogen did not provide any motive force.

The hydrogen fuel cell operates similar to a battery. It has two electrodes, an anode and a cathode, separated by a membrane. Oxygen passes over one electrode and hydrogen over the other.
The hydrogen reacts to a catalyst on the electrode anode that converts the hydrogen gas into negatively charged electrons (e-) and positively charged ions (H+).

The electrons flow out of the cell to be used as electrical energy. The hydrogen ions move through the electrolyte membrane to the cathode electrode where they combine with oxygen and the electrons to produce water. Unlike batteries, fuel cells never run out.

[opgpat]

Yes but the Hydrogen was there - that was the problem. It's one of the most combustable and explosive gasses and incredibly dangerous especially if it leaks from say a ruptured fuel cell after a high speed RTA! Add to that the tons of mail in the back of the New Hydrogen Powered! RM HGV and the Hindenberg video will look like a mini BBQ by comparrison.

That's by the by, there is no future in it, just found this on wiki:

In May 2009, however, the Obama Administration announced that it will "cut off funds" for the development of fuel cell hydrogen vehicles, since other vehicle technologies will lead to quicker reduction in emissions in a shorter time. The US Secretary of Energy explained that hydrogen vehicles "will not be practical over the next 10 to 20 years", and also mentioned the challenges involved in the development of the required infrastructure to distribute hydrogen fuel.

So more useless aquisitions for RM. Hydrogen bicycles however might have a future! Anyone fancy sitting on this little number on the way round their delivery? Only concern is when you prop it against the fence at 38 where it always topples over when you turn your back on it you might end up blown across the road to 37!!!