Fusion Processing, a Bristol-based automated drive systems provider, today announced a collaboration with Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS), a Hydrogen powered heavy truck maker, on a GBP 15 million (USD 17.8 million) grant from the UK Government’s Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) as part of a wider funding package to support zero emission transport.
Fusion Processing is part of the consortium that is awarded APC funding following a successful entry into the competition for developing automotive technologies and capabilities for net zero. Fusion Processing is supporting HVS’ drive for innovation in hydrogen mobility in the form of the UK’s first indigenous, clean-sheet, hydrogen fuel-cell HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle).
APC’s funding, which is aimed at supporting the UK’s long-term capabilities by securing long-term R&D investment in collaborative, pre-production research and development (R&D) projects, will support 50% of the project’s approximate GBP 30 million (USD35.9m) total cost.
The project, which will run between September1, 2022, and June 30, 2025, comprises a consortium led by HVS and includes Grayson (Thermal Management), HVS (developing the hydrogen powered HGV) and PNDC (a commercial arm of Strathclyde University specialising in power electronics). The support and combination of this expertise will expedite the development of the full vehicle’s fuel cell and battery hybrid powertrain, covering engineering, testing and development.
Both this and other fuel cell projects funded by APC will contribute to the ambition to decarbonise the automotive sector as described in the UK’s Hydrogen Strategy
Ian Constance, Chief Executive at the APC, said, “Supporting vital research and development in the UK, now more than ever, provides an opportunity to invest in transport decarbonisation as well as boost growth in the automotive sector. In this period of massive innovation and disruption, there is an opportunity for people to come through with new ideas. For that to work, you have to be out in front, keep very focused, build a great team, and have good support. That is all here at HVS. I think this will be another great UK innovation and manufacturing success story we are proud to be part of.”
“The GBP 15 million of funding furthers world-leading innovation in net-zero technology for the automotive sector and beyond. These fantastic projects are all collaborative by design, led by high-profile companies with innovative SME and academic partners, representing the great UK industry,” he sid.
APC 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 the 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.”
Fusion Processing CEO Jim Hutchinsonsaid, “ The UK Government performed rigorous due diligence in selecting this consortium to receive this grant – acknowledging that Fusion’s vehicle automation and ADAS is world leading and perfectly showcased in this project to achieve zero-emission targets.”
With the government target to curtail sales of all non-zero emission 3.5T -26T HGVs set to come into play by 2035 or earlier and all sales of new non-zero emission HGVs by 2040, HVS and its world-leading technology has the potential to play a crucial role in enabling the emissions reduction targets to be achieved.
According to HVS’ ‘conservative’ sales projections, by 2030 the new UK fleet of hydrogen HGVs displacing diesel vehicles could prevent more CO2 and noxious air emissions than the reported annual emissions of Heathrow airport.