First Hydrogen’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) has showcased its remarkable capabilities in a recent trial, surpassing electric vehicles (EVs) with its double the range capacity. The company partnered with Rivus, a leading fleet management provider, to thoroughly evaluate the FCEV’s performance, durability, and efficiency across various load factors.
After an extensive trial period, Rivus submitted a highly positive report that emphasized the FCEV’s exceptional performance, particularly praising its unparalleled range, which is approximately double that of traditional EVs. In addition to this range advantage, the FCEV offers the significant benefit of refueling in just five minutes, compared to the hours required for EV charging, making it an attractive choice for fleet operators.
This trial marks a significant milestone in the quest to decarbonize fleet operations, as they are a substantial contributor to global emissions. Steve Gill, First Hydrogen’s Automotive CEO, expressed his delight with the report, stating, “We are thrilled that Rivus has demonstrated the viability of this technology for numerous fleets. The trial also showcased the vehicle’s exceptional efficiency, comfortably achieving a range of over 500 km on a single tank of fuel, surpassing our initial performance expectations for real-world driving. This trial is evidence that our vehicle offers clear benefits to fleets.”
The FCEV was put to the test by Rivus, whose vehicle management portfolio encompasses approximately 120,000 vehicles. Over a span of just over four weeks, the FCEV underwent more than 700 miles of rigorous testing. Rivus engineers meticulously assessed the FCEV’s performance across various real-world scenarios, including urban city center driving, navigating urban routes, and combined routes involving a mixture of low-speed city center roads, higher-speed roads, and motorways. The vehicle was tested both empty and loaded to 90% of its maximum weight capacity to accurately reflect real-world conditions.
Rivus’ report highlighted the FCEV’s unbeatable range compared to EVs, with modern electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs) typically achieving around 240 km, while the FCEV exceeded 500 km. Notably, the FCEV’s performance remained unaffected by speed or payload and performed better under different load cycles compared to eLCVs, which can experience a range reduction of around 10%.
Gemma Horne, Warranty Controller at Rivus and a participant in the trial, emphasized the major advantage of First Hydrogen’s FCEV. She stated, “The main benefit of the First Hydrogen vehicle is the quicker refueling times compared to battery electric vehicle charging. Additionally, unlike internal combustion engines, hydrogen vehicles produce zero emissions.”
This trial serves as a testament to First Hydrogen’s groundbreaking innovation and its pivotal role in decarbonizing fleet operations.
