Dubbed ZERE – an acronym for Zero Emissions Range Extender, the van is on display at the stand for fuel cell technology provider, Intelligent Energy, and demonstrates how fuel cell technology used for range extension can help overcome the disadvantages of poor range and long recharging times inherent in many battery electric vehicles.

The prototype is the first stage in an on-going UK consortium project that is supported by funding from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) to develop a new class of range-extended commercial vehicle.

The project is being led by Intelligent Energy, with partners including Millbrook Proving Ground, Frost Electronics, Frost EV Systems, Cenex, British Gas and DHL, and will investigate the most effective routes to commercialisation, including the possibilities for installation during first manufacture and retro-fitment. 

Alongside the vehicles, Intelligent Energy is showing a number of technology exhibits, including its new 100kW high power fuel cell architecture, while James Batchelor, the managing director of the company’s Motive Division, is also addressing the LCV2015 audience on the use of fuel cells in range-extended applications, demonstrating how fuel cell technology can be implemented in the near term to deliver significant advances in low-carbon vehicle drivetrains.