As part of its aim to achieve zero tailpipe emissions by 2036 and net-zero carbon emissions across its supply chain, products and operations by 2039, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is developing a prototype hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV).
Based on the new Land Rover Defender, the project is in line with the vehicle maker's 'Reimagine Strategy,' announced last month. The New Defender FCEV prototype will begin testing towards the end of 2021 in the UK to verify critical attributes such as off-road capability and fuel consumption.
FCEVs generate electricity from hydrogen to power an electric motor and are complimentary to battery electric vehicles on the journey towards net-zero vehicle emissions. Hydrogen-powered FCEVs provide high energy density, rapid refuelling, and minimal loss of range in low temperatures. These attributes make the technology ideal for larger, longer-range vehicles and even for those vehicles operated in hot or cold environments.
Since 2018, the global number of FCEVs on the road has nearly doubled, while hydrogen refuelling stations have increased by more than 20%, as per International Energy Agency.
According to Hydrogen Council's forecasts, the hydrogen-powered FCEV deployment could top 10 million with 10,000 refuelling stations worldwide by 2030.
Project Zeus, JLR's advanced engineering project, is partly funded by the government-backed Advanced Propulsion Centre. It allows engineers to understand how a hydrogen powertrain can be optimised to deliver the performance and capability expected by its customers: from range to refuelling and towing to off-road ability.
To deliver Project Zeus, the vehicle maker has associated with several R&D organisations, including Delta Motorsport, AVL, Marelli Automotive Systems, and the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) to research, develop and create the prototype FCEV.
Ralph Clague, Head of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, JLR, said the work done alongside its partners in Project Zeus will help the company become a net-zero carbon business by 2039.