HyPower marks step forward

scientists have developed a hydrogen-powered car that they believe is a significant step toward volume production of eco-friendly vehicles.

The team, led by Dirk Kok from the Institute of Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP), in partnership with Gateshead’s Centre for Process Innovation at Wilton and Lambda One Autogas, have successfully adapted a Nissan Almera to run on hydrogen so that it only emits water from its exhaust.

The HyPower Nissan Almera will be unveiled at the Partners4Automotive 2008 conference on 17 September at the university’s Sir Tom Cowie Campus. This event will look at alternative fuel technologies for vehicles and transport systems, giving local business the chance to see developments from around the world.

Adrian Morris, operations manager at AMAP, said the HyPower project is a major breakthrough in the development of green transport.

He said: ‘This project marks a significant step forward in our understanding of hydrogen as a fuel for the automotive industry.

‘This vehicle will act as a test bed to evaluate novel hydrogen technologies in vehicles and will enhance the region’s status as an important automotive research and development centre.’

Kok added: ‘The whole subject of hydrogen as a fuel for cars is intriguing. It all depends upon the price of oil, the driving range of these new green vehicles, ease of safely filling these vehicles, and the availability of competing systems, which we are also researching.

‘The HyPower project does demonstrate that hydrogen is a practical and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Although this is a significant step forward, there is still a long way to go before we see these vehicles driving on our roads.’