A project to develop a hydrogen-powered HGV has been awarded £30m in support from a joint fund from UK Government and industry.
HVS has been awarded the cash from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), which receives about half of its £73m in funding from government and the rest from the automotive industry.
The Glasgow-based manufacturer is building a hydrogen fuel cell that could be used on heavy goods vehicles, which would typically have to use inefficient batteries designed for smaller vehicles.
Business Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Our automotive industry is a world-leader, creating jobs whether in Essex, Somerset or Glasgow.
“Seizing the potential from new technologies will be a key part of its future success, while also making our roads cleaner, greener and more affordable.
“Today’s multi-million-pound boost - created by government working hand-in-hand with industry - will put these firms in pole position to pioneer these innovations, staying at the cutting edge of the global race for decades to come.”
HVS chief executive Jawad Khursheed said: “Our mission to decarbonise heavy-duty transport in the UK has reached a major milestone with the help of the APC grant.
“The UK Government performed rigorous due diligence in selecting HVS to receive this grant – acknowledging that our advanced technology is a key innovation towards achieving zero emission targets.
“We have successfully produced our first driving fuel cell technology demonstrator vehicle and are on track to deliver the UK’s first-to-market hydrogen fuel cell-powered HGV.
“We have experienced rapid growth at HVS in as little as a year, now with this government support we will boost innovation, create thousands of UK-based jobs, and build upon our goal towards cleaner HGVs.”
Last month, the company unveiled the demonstrator model of its hydrogen commercial vehicle.
The 5.5-tonne unit is designed in-house by head of design Pete Clarke, with improved aerodynamics compared with current internal combustion engine trucks.
HVS’ vehicle powertrain employs a fuel cell and energy storage system to deploy electricity to an electric motor to transmit power to the wheels. It uses kinetic energy recovery to recapture energy under braking and while the truck is slowing down.
The integrated powertrain is controlled by an advanced control system, SEMAS, which should deliver class-leading fuel efficiency and durability.
The fuel cell permits longer range, higher load-carrying capacity, and faster refuelling than would be possible using lithium-Ion battery technology alone: typical refuelling time is comparable to diesel.
Depending on the journey - the route travelled, road conditions and driving style - HVS’ HGV has the capacity to cover in excess of 500km.
HVS is undertaking development work at Horiba MIRA in Warwickshire and envisages that it will open a research, development, engineering and pilot production facility in the Midlands, alongside a permanent UK-based production facility.
A workforce of circa 600 employees is being put together across all key disciplines, with many recruits coming from the automotive and aerospace industries. It’s likely that a further 10,000 workers will be involved in the UK supply chain.
Plans are in place for a left-hand drive variant of the hydrogen-fuelled 4x2 HGV tractor unit, with a rigid chassis model also in the pipeline.
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