Electric and hydrogen truck pioneer Tevva has launched the first hydrogen fuel cell-supported heavy goods vehicle (HGV) to be manufactured, designed and mass produced in the UK.

The Tilbury-headquartered firm unveiled its Hydrogen electric vehicle alongside its latest full-battery electric HGV at the Road Transport Expo.

Hydrogen has been used safely in buses and other vehicles in more than 20 countries for many years and has a higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries or even diesel. 

Because of these properties, it is particularly attractive for use in larger, commercial vehicles.

On-boarding diverse hydrogen suppliers

Tevva is on-boarding diverse hydrogen suppliers that can provide innovative and hydrogen services to cater to the needs of its growing customer base.

Tevva CEO and founder, Asher Bennett, said: “We are excited to launch our Hydrogen Electric HGV, creating a landmark moment for Tevva and UK manufacturing. 

“We firmly believe that the post-fossil fuel future, which is quickly approaching, will see a new range of technologies and fuels take centre stage in the transport industry.”

He added: “By embracing hydrogen, we are futureproofing ourselves, our clients and the industries and communities they operate in. 

“We also pride ourselves on the fact that our vehicles are safe, reliable and go the distance. 

“Combined with our commitment to customer service, we believe that Tevva’s Hydrogen Electric Truck will be a popular choice for fleet operators across the UK, Europe and eventually North America.”

Tevva is delivering zero-emission solutions

By adding a hydrogen fuel cell system to its battery-electric HGV design, Tevva is delivering zero-emission solutions that will work for most fleet operators across a range of industries and sectors. 

The fuel cell system tops up the battery, extending the vehicle’s range and allowing the truck to carry heavier loads over longer distances.

One advantage of using the fuel cell as a range extender, rather than the primary source of power, is that it allows Tevva to provide smaller, cheaper and lighter fuel cells and operate these at the highest possible efficiency.

Tevva’s 7.5-tonne hydrogen electric truck comfortably meets demanding duty cycles for nearly all urban and extra-urban use cases. 

Their innovation means that its customers can drive for longer with a range of up to 310 miles and will have reassurance because of the technology’s reliability and safety.

Crucially, hydrogen refuelling typically takes a similar time to diesel truck refuelling (5-20 minutes) and the dual-use of both battery-electric and hydrogen energy sources futureproofs Tevva and its customers as the transition away from fossil fuels and the decarbonisation of the transport industry continues.

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