UK-based AFC Energy, a company commercializing an alkaline fuel cell system, has demonstrated CH₂ARGE, an electric vehicle charger based on hydrogen fuel-cell technology. The demonstration of AFC Energy’s CH₂ARGE system took place at Dunsfold Aerodrome, with a BMW i8 as the first car to be recharged with power generated by a hydrogen fuel cell.

CH₂ARGE includes AFC Energy’s small-scale fuel cell connected to an inverter. The inverter transfers energy created by the fuel cell to a charger. The system is supported by a 48V battery pack to assist with peak power demands. The solution can also be tailored for both on- and off-grid applications and scale up as required.

The demonstration CH₂ARGE system was sized to provide sufficient power to charge two EVs concurrently at recharging levels 1, 2 or 3. The system’s inverters are controlled via AFC Energy’s fuel cell control system; product solutions can be implemented with Smart Charging capabilities.

AFC Energy is looking to enter into discussions with potential OEM partners and suppliers for the production of its CH₂ARGE scalable EV Charge systems for commercial deployment.