PSA presents H2Origin fuel cell prototype

Intelligent Energy and PSA Peugeot Citroën today presented the results of their H2Origin collaborative research project, which has successfully integrated fuel cell technology into a zero emissions urban delivery vehicle with an electric powertrain.

The three year partnership between the two companies has culminated in the delivery of a demonstrator vehicle powered by an electric battery with a highly successful hydrogen fuel cell range extender. The demonstrator is based on one of PSA Peugeot Citroën’s van range, the Peugeot Partner Origin.

The Intelligent Energy 10kWe fuel cell system was specifically designed for the vehicle. The fuel cell offers the following advantages:
- the range of the electric vehicle is trebled thanks to the fuel cell to 300km;
- the fuel cell is compact enough to fit under the bonnet of a small delivery vehicle;
- the vehicle can be started at temperatures as low as -20°C.

PSA Peugeot Citroën’ offers a novel hydrogen storage system. Compressed hydrogen is securely stored in an exchangeable rack, which provides a practical alternative to refuelling at a traditional fuel station, thus overcoming a major hurdle. Henri Winand, CEO of Intelligent Energy, commented: “Our fuel cell expertise and systems integration capabilities have been proven yet again in developing the power system and incorporating it into this vehicle. We have made the fuel cell system robust and compact enough for real-world clean motoring applications, and have gained invaluable experience through the collaboration with PSA Peugeot Citroën.”

Jean Pierre Goedgebuer, Scientific Director of PSA Peugeot Citroën, said: “As a leader in low carbon vehicles, we have already demonstrated several zero emissions vehicles. The Intelligent Energy fuel cell in the H2Origin extends its range from approximately 100km to three times that distance. This sort of range increases the attractiveness of electric vehicles for urban delivery, which is one of the most promising future markets for electric vehicles.”