Jaguar Land Rover: ‘Hydrogen has a role to play across the whole transport industry’

July 16, 2024

Land Rover Defender, European Model close-up

Jaguar Land Rover know hydrogen has a role to play in the future powertrain mix across the whole transport industry’ – and are leading the charge with a Defender Hydrogen prototype.

The company has been working on a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) prototype since 2021, based on the Land Rover Defender.

Projections forecast that hydrogen FCEVs will top 10 million by 2030, with there expected to be 10,000 refuelling stations worldwide.

The FCEV concept is part of Jaguar Land Rover’s aim to achieve zero tailpipe emissions by 2036, and net zero carbon emissions across its supply chain, products and operations by 2039.

Jaguar Land Rover’s advanced engineering project, known as Project Zeus, is part funded by the government‑backed Advanced Propulsion Centre – with the company also working closely with AVL Powertrain UK Ltd on the project.

It will allow engineers to understand how a hydrogen powertrain can be optimised to deliver the performance and capability expected by its customers: from range to refuelling, and towing to off‑road ability.

Ralph Clague, Head of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “We know hydrogen has a role to play in the future powertrain mix across the whole transport industry, and alongside battery electric vehicles, it offers another zero tailpipe emission solution for the specific capabilities and requirements of Jaguar Land Rover’s world class line‑up of vehicles.

Land Rover Defender Front, European Model

“The work done alongside our partners in Project Zeus will help us on our journey to become a net zero carbon business by 2039, as we prepare for the next generation of zero tailpipe emissions vehicle.”

A consortium led by Jaguar Land Rover and including AVL, has secured funding from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), which is set out to support Research & Development projects for a wide range of cutting-edge technologies including concept fuel cell vehicles.

AVL Powertrain UK Ltd will take on a fundamental role collaborating on the Controls work package with Jaguar Land Rover, developing supervisory controller functionality, managing the functional safety development, as well as being responsible for the integration and calibration activities.

Matthias Wellers, Managing Director, AVL Powertrain UK Ltd said: ‘’AVL work with project partners to make the FCEV concept a reality and establish a leading knowledge hub for hydrogen technology and capabilities in the UK.

“The project will support the transition from traditional mobility to future propulsion, promoting crucial skill development the UK automotive industry needs.

“The demand for clean propulsion is increasing exponentially. Consumers have become more environmentally aware, and legislators are ramping up Net-Zero targets, meaning technology developers are looking for more sustainable solutions for future mobility. More than ever, we need to invest in innovative Research and Development to deliver a cleaner tomorrow.”

Tom Stone, Engineering Centre Manager, AVL Powertrain UK Ltd, said: “Developing the zero tailpipe emission FCEV prototype, based on the new Land Rover Defender, is a vital enabler of next-generation Fuel Cell power adoption in passenger car applications, which will support bringing the UK closer to realising net-zero emissions and advancing automotive technology on a global stage.”