NextGen Fuel-Cell Electric Buses to Accelerate a Low-Carbon Hydrogen Economy (NextGenFCEV)

4f429405-3e78-4ade-9b60-b1d64bee0d36

Active

Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK

£27,790,150

May 31, 2021

Nov. 30, 2024

NextGen Fuel-Cell Electric Buses to Accelerate a Low-Carbon Hydrogen Economy or "NextGenFCEV" aims to develop world leading, in terms of TCO and efficiency, single and double deck fuel cell electric buses for the UK marketplace and export.

This project addresses the aim of the competition in accelerating the development of a zero-tailpipe emission fuel-cell electric bus. By replacing incumbent diesel vehicles, projected global FCEV sales will mitigate 15.6-million tonnes of CO2 and 5,744-million litres of diesel by 2031/32\. 51 R&D and 2,335 production jobs (including apprentices) will be created. 1,035 R&D and manufacturing jobs will be safeguarded.

The project has there specific themes:

1\.**Development of next-generation hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses** that are cost effective, lightweight and modular, to accommodate UK and export markets. After pioneering the world's first double-deck hydrogen fuel-cell bus, Wrightbus will collaborate efforts to explore optimal propulsion, energy storage and thermal management configurations with Grayson Thermal Systems(GTS) and Queen's University Belfast. Operator input via Translink will guide overall design, performance, market requirements and conduct field trials.

2\.**Strengthening UK based assembly and manufacturing capabilities to produce zero-emission technologies at scale.** Modular architectures (not common in the bus industry)will enable higher volume production and lower the cost of goods to the consumer. With guidance from Ryse Hydrogen, installation of on-site hydrogen re-fuelling and charging infrastructure will further reduce development and testing timescales. Close collaboration with GTS will add resilience to UK supply chains and encourage UK OEMs, such as JCB, to develop advanced hydrogen storage solutions.

3\.**Introduce a 'Hydrogen Centre of Excellence' to support upskilling and knowledge sharing in the UK.** The centre will build upon strong academic links between Wrightbus and QUB to provide training and education of all aspects of the hydrogen economy, share best practice, and generate new sources of revenue. Feasibility studies in to pathways for low-cost, low-carbon hydrogen fuel production in the UK will be undertaken. Further innovation and collaborative research will be possible with technology transfer to coach, truck and off-highway applications. Ryse Hydrogen will also use the centre to conduct a study into lowering product costs of Green Hydrogen in the UK in partnership with QUB.