Zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell units capable of powering cars, trucks and buses are set to roll off the Intelligent Energy production line in Leicestershire. The tech company is working on fuel cells for clients around the world which leave nothing behind other than water - and testing has started on the company’s first hydrogen fuel cell car engine prior to installation in an SUV next month.
The Loughborough University spin-off has been refining the technology for years and has now created two high-power IE-DRIVE units – one for use in a car and another suitable for heavy-duty applications including buses, trucks, trains and powerplants. The products are in final testing before dispatch to customers in South Korea, the UK, US, Spain, and Taiwan.
Last autumn the business - which employs 250 people - signed an agreement with Hogreen Air to assemble an initial 100 of the high-power fuel cells under licence for South Korea and other Asian countries. Those units will be used in powerplant applications.
A spokeswoman for Intelligent Energy said: “First deliveries are starting this month to customers in the UK and the EU, with shipments to customers in Asia and the USA later this year.
“Those units will be used for trial operations in a range of applications including bus, truck, passenger car as well as stationary use for zero emission generators in Europe and hydrogen-based power stations in South Korea.
“We are now ramping up production, aiming to produce 200-plus IE-DRIVE units.”
The production line was formally opened by Loughborough MP Jane Hunt, who was also told about the company’s plans to develop power units for aero engines, warehouse trucks and drones.
She said: “Loughborough can be proud to say that companies like Intelligent Energy are based here and design and build such brilliant technology in the East Midlands.”
Company chief executive David Woolhouse said: “It was great to be able to show Jane our latest high-power products which are now being dispatched to customers in Asia, US and Europe.
“We welcome Jane’s continuing support for Intelligent Energy and our future plans for further production.”
