Member Article

Coventry hydrogen car shortlisted for top design award

A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, designed and manufactured in Coventry, has been shortlisted for a prestigious international transport design award.

The zero emission H2EV vehicle is from Microcab, a Coventry University spin-out, and was picked out from an array of contenders to be in the running for the sixth annual Conde Nast Traveller’s Innovation & Design Awards.

The awards celebrate excellence across a range of categories, and judges come from a wide range of disciplines, including industrial design guru Sebastian Conran, and Top Gear editor Jason Barlow.

Microcab’s offering is up against the likes of BMW’s i3 electric car, a 220mph luxury high-speed train, and a cableless, gearless electric bicycle all vying for top honours.

John Jostins, professor of sustainable transport design at Coventry University, is the mastermind behind the car, which is fuelled by a 3kW fuel cell which gives the car a 100 mile range.

Hydrogen from a filling station is combined with oxygen from the air to create electricity and water in a reaction known as ‘reverse electrolysis’.

Professor Jostins said: “It’s an honour for Microcab to be shortlisted for this illustrious award, and I’m delighted that recognition for the H2EV’s success and innovation is extending across continents.

“This not only represents a boost for hydrogen as an alternative fuel in a low carbon vehicle sector crowded with battery-powered cars, it also shows that in spite of the recession, the West Midlands is retaining its position at the cutting edge of zero emission technology development in the UK.”

The vehicle was supplied to the Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Demonstrator (CABLED) trial, and forms part of the University’s Low Carbon Vehicles Grand Challenge Initiative.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .