Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is developing a prototype hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) based on the new version of its premium SUV, Land Rover Defender.
The ‘New Defender FCEV’ concept is part of JLR’s aim to achieve zero tailpipe emissions by 2036 and net zero carbon emissions across its supply chain, products and operations by 2039, in line with the ‘Reimagine’ strategy announced last month, the company said in a statement.
Hydrogen technology is being developed under the company’s advanced engineering project, known as Project Zeus, which is part-funded by the government-backed Advanced Propulsion Centre.
The development of the prototype FCEV will allow Jaguar engineers to understand how a hydrogen powertrain can be optimised to deliver the performance and capability expected by its customers — from range to refueling, and towing to off-road ability, it said.
FCEVs generate electricity from hydrogen to power an electric motor. Hydrogen-powered FCEVs provide high energy density and rapid refueling, and minimal loss of range in low temperatures, making the technology ideal for larger, longer-range vehicles, or those operated in hot or cold environments, JLR said.
Jaguar said the zero tailpipe emission of the prototype New Defender FCEV will begin testing towards the end of 2021 in the UK to verify key attributes such as off-road capability and fuel consumption.
Reference- JLR website & PR, Inside EVs, India Today, Autocar India