“The way is now open for us to roll out the system to fleet operators looking to dramatically reduce their diesel emissions”
70% Reduction in Carbon Dioxide Emissions Demonstrated
ULEMCo, the ultra-low emissions vehicle company championing the conversion of diesel vehicles for hydrogen fuelling, has had its converted vehicles verified as achieving the definition of ultra-low status by the VCA, the UK Vehicle Type Approval authority.
Ford Transit vans retrofitted with ULEMCo’s hydrogen gas system achieved 59g/km CO2 under test, representing a 70% reduction on the unconverted equivalent vehicle. Tailpipe emissions also showed a 40% reduction in harmful NOx.
The news will be welcome to fleet operators looking for a route to dramatically reduce the impact of their vehicles on air quality and climate change and it is hoped that the hydrogen equipped vehicles will be exempt from the London Congestion Charge.
Using the dual fuel conversion, range anxiety is eliminated as the vehicles can run for approximately 200 miles on hydrogen, and automatically switch to diesel fuel when the store of hydrogen is used up. Importantly, the conversion kit takes up no valuable cargo space as it fits underneath the vehicle. The van’s driving performance is not affected.
The conversion equipment is designed to be fitted to standard commercial vans, and can be switched between vehicles as fleets are updated. While the major reason for adopting the system is to reduce emissions from diesel engines, part of the cost will be offset by lower running costs from the more efficient hydrogen-fuelled engines, and other reduced operating costs.
CEO of ULEMCo, Amanda Lyne said: “We are delighted that our hydrogen powered vans meet the requirements of the VCA. The way is now open for us to roll out the system to fleet operators looking to dramatically reduce their diesel emissions, in line with the overall UK commitment to reducing the impact on air quality and climate change.”
ULEMCo has been supported on a number of occasions by the Government’s technology experts at Innovate UK, and ULEMCo and its partners already support a fleet of 20 vehicles across a range of hydrogen hubs in the UK.
