Hydrogen-Powered Land Rover Defender In Development
Jaguar Land Rover has announced it will develop a new hydrogen fuel cell car. The vehicle, which will be based on the new Defender SUV, will undergo prototype testing next year.
The announcement comes as part of Jaguar Land Rover’s larger goal to produce only zero-tailpipe emissions vehicles by 2036. The automotive giant has also pledged to work towards becoming a net-zero carbon business by 2039.
The vehicle’s fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity without combustion, with the electricity generated being used to power the car’s electric motor. Many researchers and automakers favour the technology because hydrogen-powered FCEVs can be rapidly refueled and have a high energy density that doesn’t lose much range in low temperatures.
The prototype programme, known as Project Zeus, will be partially funded by UK non-profit organisation Advanced Propulsion Centre, which supports UK-based research and development of low-carbon emission powertrain technologies. Jaguar Land Rover will also collaborate with Delta Motorsport, AVL, Marelli Automotive Systems, and the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre for the development of the prototype. The testing programme should provide engineers with a better understanding of how a hydrogen powertrain can be developed to meet the performance standards that Land Rover customers expect from the brand.
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