Intelligent Energy has released a 157kW fuel cell that is “smaller and more powerful” than any other solution on the passenger car market.
The IE-DRIVE™ system has been developed to power hydrogen cars, boasting a “first of its kind” single stack platform. The solution was recently launched at the British company’s headquarters in Loughborough where it powered a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).
Due to Intelligent Energy’s direct water injection technology, the fuel cells heat exchanger is up to 30% smaller than its competitors at equal net power output. The solution can also meet the low bonnet requirements of passenger cars, due to its traditional engine shape.
Expected to cost around £100 ($126) per kW by the end of the decade, the fuel cell will be less expensive than battery electric vehicle solutions and comparable to internal combustion engines (ICE).
Intelligent Energy’s Chief Executive, David Woolhouse, explained that the IE-DRIVE solution can “open up the market for passenger car manufacturers that need to package a more powerful system into their vehicles.”
He added, “With 25% of all passenger cars expected to have fuel cell powertrains, this clean technology represents the future. As an IATF-compliant business we are looking to grow our capability as a tier 1 supplier.”
The fuel cell was the result of a four-year project dubbed ESTHER, which was supported by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). Worth £22m ($27m), Intelligent Energy’s project was completed in collaboration with Lyra Electronics, Alexander Dennis and Changan R&D Centre – who provided three SUVs for testing.
The fuel cell system was first unveiled last September (2023) by Intelligent Energy. H2 View understands the solution has been designed as a series of connected modules to allow for integration into a range of vehicles.
Read more:Intelligent Energy unveils passenger vehicle fuel cell system
