Smith Electric Vehicles and Proton Power Sign MoU for Developing Commercial Electric Vehicle With Fuel Cell Range Extender; First Prototype at Hannover Fair 2010
07 February 2010
Proton Power Systems recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smith Electric Vehicles, the commercial electric vehicle division of The Tanfield Group Plc. Under the MoU both parties will collaborate to build and market a battery-powered commercial vehicle, equipped with a Proton Power PM200 fuel cell system as a range extender. The collaboration will aim to supply systems to local authorities and other fleet operators across Germany initially, and will also address projects in the UK and North America.
Proton Power Systems is the parent company of Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, an independent fuel cell system developer, based in Germany. Prior to its acquisition by the company, Proton Motor had historically secured external funding from Volvo Technology Transfer AB and other German institutional and private investors.
The new partnership will target Smith’s Edison range of electric light-duty vehicles, which are currently used by leading UK brands such as Sainsbury’s, Scottish & Southern Energy and Royal Mail. Smith has also rolled out its larger Newton vehicle in North America, through its associate company Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp.
Proton Power and Smith will present the first prototype at the Hannover Fair in April 2010. Thereafter, the partners plan to roll out the vehicle in transport and maintenance applications across German municipalities, with the first vehicles due to be delivered in the last quarter of 2010.
The German-based hydrogen and electric vehicle promotion organization (NOW)—backed by the German government—has expressed an interest in providing funding support to operators of electric vehicle fleets and local authorities in Germany for the purchase of up to 20 vehicles with specifications similar to the prototype which will be presented at the Hannover Fair.
Electric vehicles integrated with a fuel cell expand the addressable market for zero emission vans and trucks. Pure electric commercial vehicles have a limited range and are currently restricted to low mileage, urban operations.
Proton Power’s PM200 fuel cell will improve the range of vehicle operation (from 160 km / 99 miles to up to 300 km / 186 miles) enabling the vehicles to have a wider application within large fleets. It will also provide an on-board electrical supply which will boost the ease of maintenance work, improving a vehicle’s suitability for every-day back-to-base applications, while also supporting auxiliary functions such as air conditioning and heating.
Our partnership with Smith Electric Vehicles is a major milestone for the Group. Fuel cell range extenders are an attractive option for overcoming the current problems of electric vehicles. There are strong initiatives, such as NOW, in Europe towards the adoption of electric vehicles and there is also considerable interest in the United States and Canada. We aim to use our fuel cell range extender to help electric vehicle manufacturers such as Smith break further into these markets.
—Thomas Melczer, CEO of Proton Power
The PM200 uses new stack technology designed for mass production and cost reduction. Output per stack ranges from 3 kW – 10 kW, and the stacks are designed for use in fuel cell systems ranging from 3 kW – 50 kW.
Another FC story without prices.
Smith has build EV trucks for eighty years and China has had http://www.thunder-sky.com/pdf/2009224102239.pdf and http://www.thunder-sky.com/pdf/20091129341.pdf , besides 120 million Ebikes & cycles, so the Tesla already has some company.
Posted by: kelly | 07 February 2010 at 08:03 AM
Without government mandates and subsidies fuel cells cannot compete. Small diesel engines can get better well-to-wheel efficiencies. Let the goverments promote productivity instead of inefficiency. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 07 February 2010 at 08:55 AM
HG:
Let's not forget that ICE have been around for an extra 100+ years.
By 2111, FC will be much lighter, cheaper and probably more efficient than the 30% from ICE.
Hydrogen worldwide new infrastructure will be very (too)costly. On-board hydrogen convertors may be cheaper but would shift cost to vehicles.
Post lithium, higher performance, lower cost batteries may be a better solution, specially for light vehicles.
Both technologies may exist for a few decades.
Posted by: HarveyD | 07 February 2010 at 12:59 PM
If they could make a DMFC at 20 kW that might make a difference. Just put M100 in the tank and you are good to go.
Posted by: SJC | 07 February 2010 at 02:36 PM
This is one way to make batteries NOT the most cosly component in a hybrid.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 07 February 2010 at 06:31 PM
A mass produced fuel cell of that size would in fact be cheaper and ALOT lighter and more compact then a battery needed to get that range and making a generator to belt out that power would entail pullution control equip and the loss of zero emmissions status.
Posted by: wintermane2000 | 08 February 2010 at 12:36 AM