Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the lightest element, colourless, tasteless, odourless and flammable. When hydrogen escapes into the atmosphere, it is so light that it scatters immediately upwards. This means that a hydrogen spill won’t pool on the ground, pollute groundwater, or soak into clothing.

filling up with hydrogen

Hydrogen is believed to be the most abundant element in the known universe. It is the third most abundant element on the Earth (after oxygen and silicon), found in water and all organic matter.

Hydrogen filling station, University of Birmingham Coventry University open hydrogen filling station Microcab H2EV vehicles are able to refuel at hydrogen fillings stations at Birmingham (above top), Coventry (above), Loughborough (below) and, most recently, Swindon (below bottom).
Loughborough University's new hydrogen filling station Microcab at the new hydrogen filling station in Swindon

Click here to see an overview of hydrogen filling stations worldwide. You can zoom into the UK to see the locations of current and planned stations.

Microcab's all new H2EV

About the H2EV

The next-generation hybrid machine brings together expertise from the automotive and motorsport industries, incorporating a chassis designed by Delta Motorsport and Microcab and engineered by Lotus. For its power source the H2EV features a Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies system whose modules comprise the fuel cell, its control system and power-conditioning circuitry to charge the vehicle battery. This hybrid powertrain architecture combines the power capability of a Lithium-ion battery with the energy capability of a hydrogen fuel cell to achieve excellent vehicle performance with ultra-low energy usage and zero emissions.

This four-seat, multi-purpose H2EV Microcab can be used as a car, a light van or a taxi, and has been designed to use either a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain or a pure battery EV drive, depending on the user's requirements and their access to refuelling infrastructure. That refuelling infrastructure has been strengthened with Coventry University’s new hydrogen fuel station.

Microcab H2EV Vehicle Specification

  • Length : 3.5 metres
  • Height : 1.7 metres
  • Width : 1.6 metres
  • Gross vehicle weight : approx 750kg
  • Chassis : Lotus bonded aluminium
  • Crash protection : Front offset impact; side impact; roof crush
  • Drive : Twin DC motors, 40kW peak
  • Main drive voltage : 72v
  • Transmission : Belt drive to front wheels
  • Lithium battery pack : 4.3kWh capacity
  • Fuel cell : Horizon low temperature Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM), 3k or 5k options
  • Fuel cell power : 3.0kW continuous
  • Hydrogen tank capacity : 1.8kg
  • Hydrogen tank pressure : 350 bar
  • Range on full tank : up to 180 miles
  • Max speed : 55mph
  • Car format : 4 seats
  • Van format : 2 seats, 200kg payload
  • Taxi format : Driver and 2/3 passengers
  • Taxi details : Flat floor for full accessibility
  • Legislation : EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval in volume production. Hydrogen system meets EU Regulation No 79/2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


© Microcab Industries Limited 2011 : Web design : Southtown Studio