Loop Energy says new hydrogen fuel cell more efficient than diesel engine

By Nick Carey

(Reuters) – Hydrogen gasoline cell maker Loop Power mentioned on Sunday that its newest cell system can ship higher gasoline economic system than a diesel engine at present value ranges.

The Burnaby, British Columbia-based firm mentioned that – based mostly on a pan-European diesel price of $1.91 per litre on Sept. 5 and $10 per kg of hydrogen – a truck may journey simply over 111 miles (179 km) on $100 price of gasoline utilizing its new S1200 hydrogen gasoline cell system versus a bit of over 109 miles for an equal diesel truck.

Because the auto business makes the shift to zero-emission electrical automobiles (EVs), huge freight truck makers like Daimler Truck and Volvo are investing closely in hydrogen gasoline cells to haul freight lengthy distances as a result of batteries weigh an excessive amount of to make electrical vehicles viable.

Hydrogen gasoline cells run hydrogen via a catalyst that produces power and warmth to energy a small battery that drives the truck – the one emission from these cells is water.

Hydrogen gasoline cells have confronted two challenges for broad adoption: they’ve to this point been much less environment friendly than diesel and fuelling infrastructure in Europe is nearly non-existent.

Nyland mentioned the brand new cell system primarily addresses the primary of these challenges.

“This brings the long run ahead,” Loop Power Chief Government Ben Nyland advised Reuters. “This product delivers the economics which can be wanted for adoption at the moment.”

Nyland mentioned that Loop Power goals to offer the gasoline cell system to startup truck makers and as a part of hydrogen powertrains offered to huge truck makers by main suppliers.

The corporate’s greatest shareholder is U.S. engine maker Cummins, which holds a greater than 20% stake in Loop Power.

(Reporting By Nick Carey; modifying by Jonathan Oatis)