ULEMCo seeks partner for London hydrogen trial

Low-emission vehicle specialist ULEMCo is seeking a commercial vehicle operator in London to trial the use of its hydrogen-dual fuel technology in a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV).

The Merseyside company is seeking a commercial partner to provide a vehicle carrying out ‘real-world duties’ in the capital, which would be converted to test the company’s hydrogen combustion engine technology.

ULEMCo has previously worked on a project to employ two hydrogen dual fuel refuse collection vehicles to Fife council

ULEMCo says that the trial will prove the technology’s ability to meet real driving emission tests that “beat world best standards for heavy duty vehicles” as an alternative to existing selective catalyst reduction systems.

Vehicles using the hydrogen combustion system are powered via a combination of hydrogen and diesel mixed in the engine manifold, with hydrogen stored in supplementary fuel tanks installed underneath the vehicle.

In a statement the company said: “As part of this project ULEMCo are looking for commercial vehicle owners to sponsor the project by providing a truck(s) with real world duties in London so that the extent of the emission reduction can be thoroughly demonstrated. Sponsorship would enable the vehicle to be converted to hydrogen dual fuel at cost price; plus allow the sponsor to participate actively in the process to complete the extensive emission tests, giving advance understanding of the future potential of the technology to save fleet costs and meet upcoming air quality standards.”

Fife

The company has previously worked on a project to convert two refuse collection vehicles used by Fife council to run on the hydrogen and diesel dual fuel (see airqualitynews.com story).

In February, ULEMCo was awarded £1.3 million in government funding to trail a range of vehicles using the technology. Funding was delivered through the government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles, with project partners including Westminster city council, Veolia, London Fire Brigade, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Commercial and Ocado.

Announcing the project in February Transport Minister John Hayes, said: “It is fantastic that ULEMCo is willing to explore low and zero emission technologies, which will help improve air quality and reduce pollution in towns and cities. This is yet another important significant step towards this government’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions from transport to help tackle climate change. We are already making headway through our investment in low emission vehicles, greener public transport and walking and cycling, as well as grants for innovative advanced biofuels projects.”

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