UK-based Intelligent Energy’s (IE) smaller, more powerful hydrogen fuel cell suitable for passenger cars has powered an SUV provided by Changan Automobile.
The 157kW fuel cell system, dubbed the IE-DRIVE™, is understood to have more gross electrical power than any other passenger car single stack application currently available.
Under full-scale, high-volume manufacturing conditions, IE has predicted the DRIVE will cost around $125 per kW by the end of the decade. It was reported that fuel cells went to market at around $1,500 per kw in 2023.
“With 25% of passenger cars expected to have hydrogen fuel cell powertrains, this clean technology represents the future,” claimed David Woolhouse, IE’s Chief Executive.
“As an independent and IATF-compliant tier 1 supplier business, I’m proud we have developed a breakthrough solution that can open up the market for passenger car manufacturers that need to package a more powerful system into their vehicles.”
In addition, the DRIVE features a heat exchanger that’s up to 30% smaller than its competitors, a novel direct water injection system – removing the need for a humidifier and is designed to meet the low bonnet requirements of a passenger car.
The company first unveiled the system last September (2023), with the aim of meeting performance and space constraints of a passenger vehicle. The system development was supported by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC).