Last checked at 27 Sep 2013 07:00
| 27 September 2013 |
Proton Power Systems plc
("Proton Power" or the "Company")
The world's first electrically operated commercial vehicle in the 7.5 to 12 tonne class with a battery and HyRange fuel cell system from Proton Power
Proton Power is pleased to announce the introduction, by its subsidiary Motor Fuel Cell GmbH ("Proton Motor") based in Puchheim near Munich, of the world's first battery and fuel cell operated electric commercial vehicle in the 7.5 to 12 tonne weight class. The vehicle is based on the battery-powered Newton vehicle built by Smith Electric Vehicles.
Proton Motor has integrated a HyRange hydrogen fuel cell system with an output of 8kW into the vehicle which supplies the battery with electrical energy. This significantly improves the vehicle's range and enables power to be supplied to the driver cabin air conditioning unit or additional equipment such as electrically powered refrigeration units.
The vehicle is available immediately for field testing by interested customers in the box van and tail lift configuration. The project was supported by funding from the NIP (National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Innovation programme).
Dr. Francoise Faiz Nahab, Managing Director of Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, said:
"We developed our HyRange system for buses and commercial vehicles for inner-city use. The vehicles are extremely quiet and emissions free. This is an optimal solution for every city that needs to meet the planned environmental targets. We are very proud of the results of our work over the last 3 years and hope that we will see considerable interest. Field testing the vehicles should give users from the logistics and service sectors an impression of the performance and reliability of our technology."
The Proton HyRange system is available for commercial vehicles up to 12 tonnes and for buses for local public transport. The modular design of the fuel cell system enables the electric output to be scaled accordingly.
The vehicle will be presented at the World of Energy Solutions trade fair next week in Stuttgart and will be available for test drives there.
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For further information:
Proton Power Systems plc | |
John Wall, Chairman | Tel: +44 (0) 7802 917 615 |
Achim Loecher, FD | Tel: +49 (0) 89 127 626 550 |
www.protonpowersystems.com | |
|
Westhouse Securities Limited Nominated adviser and broker |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7601 6100 |
Antonio Bossi | www.westhousesecurities.com |
About Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH
Proton Motor is an expert in industrial fuel cells, fuel cell and hybrid systems with more than 17 years of experience in this sector. Based in Puchheim near Munich, Proton Motor offers complete fuel cell and hybrid systems from a single source - from the development and production through the implementation of customized solutions. The focus of Proton Motor is on back-to-base, for example, for mobile, marine and stationary solutions applications. The product portfolio consists of base-fuel cell systems, standard complete systems, as well as customized systems.
Proton Motor acquired SPower GmbH in 2013. Established in 2007, SPower serves IT, Telecoms, public infrastructure and healthcare customers in Germany, Europe and Middle East with power supply solutions for DC and AC power demand. In addition to power supply, SPower also offers solutions for Solar Systems as well as a new product line for Solar Energy Storage.
Proton Motor Fuel Cells GmbH is wholly owned subsidiary of Proton Power Systems plc. The Company has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since October 2006 (code: PPS).