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Intelligent Energy claims new endurance record for hydrogen-powered multicopters

Loz Blain January 10, 2019

This fuel cell-powered coaxial octacopter just stayed aloft for 70 minutes of continuous flight, while carrying a 5kg (11-pound) weight. The record demonstrates the flight endurance capabilities of hydrogen-powered electric aircraft.

Energy

Alloy nanoparticles cut cost of platinum and increase life of hydrogen fuel cells

David Szondy October 17, 2018

A team of Brown University scientists has developed a new catalyst that could make hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles more economical. Based on nanoparticles made of an alloy of platinum and cobalt, the new catalyst is cheaper than pure platinum, and also more efficient and longer lasting.

The new catalyst combines an outer shell of platinum atoms (gray spheres) with ordered layers of ...

Urban Transport

World's first hydrogen fuel cell-powered train enters service

David Szondy September 17, 2018

The world's first hydrogen fuel cell-powered train has entered regular service in Germany with a two-car Alstom Coradia iLint taking to the tracks on Eisenbahnen und Verkehrsbetriebe Elbe-Weser's (EVB) Elbe-Weser network in Lower Saxony.

The hydrogen fuel cell-powered Coradia iLint on the move

Drones

BShark's hydrogen-powered Narwhal 2 flies for 2 hours, and transmits nearly 20 miles

Loz Blain September 16, 2018

BShark has moved mountains to bring down the price of its long-range Narwhal 2 drone. Powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, this 6.6-kg monster flies for up to two hours, transmits up to 30 km and costs US$6,800, making it an attractive option for industrial inspection and surveillance applications.

BShark's Narwhal 2 offers two hours endurance and 30 km range for both control and video ...

Automotive

Toyota reveals Project Portal Beta fuel cell truck

Aaron Turpen July 31, 2018

Toyota has unveiled its second prototype of the Project Portal hydrogen fuel cell truck. This "Beta," as Toyota refers to it internally, is the second iteration of the truck, adding more range, more room in the cab, and better usability. This is a more commercially-viable truck, Toyota says.

The new Project Portal Beta truck builds on the lessons learned from the Alpha truck introduced ...

Automotive

Ocado starts making deliveries with low emission dual-fuel Sprinter

Paul Ridden July 31, 2018

Online supermarket Ocado has taken delivery of the first dual-fuel conversion of a Mercedes Sprinter by Liverpool's ULEMCo. The converted Sprinter has been modified to run on both diesel and hydrogen, cutting CO2 emissions and extending the range.

A Mercedes Sprinter has been converted to run on hydrogen and diesel by ULEMCo for the ...

Aircraft

CityHawk eVTOL flying car entering "full-scale development"

Loz Blain July 23, 2018

Israel's Urban Aeronautics (UA) has announced it's going into full-scale development of its CityHawk VTOL flying car. The first manned flights of this hybrid-powered, 170 mph six-seater will take place in 2021-22, after which it'll be converted to run on hydrogen fuel cells.

Urban Aeronautics is going into "full scale development" of its CityHawk flying car, an urban getabout ...

Automotive

FedEx Express delivers the goods with fuel cell-powered truck

Aaron Turpen May 1, 2018

FedEx Express is currently operating the first fuel cell electric delivery van for on-road use in North America. The zero emission van is a collaboration between Workhorse Group and Plug Power and is based on Workhorse's electric delivery van, using Plug Power's hydrogen fuel cell to recharge.

Based on a Workhorse EGEN electric van, the Plug Power unit is currently in use at ...

Automotive

New big rig skips fuel cells in favor of hydrogen combustion engine

Loz Blain April 23, 2018

UK company ULEMCo has debuted a modified Volvo FH16 truck that's tuned to burn hydrogen gas instead of gasoline in its internal combustion engine. With zero emissions, a range of around 180 miles and some 300-odd horsepower, it's presented as a low-cost way to de-carbonize a heavy goods vehicle.

ULEMCo's modified Volvo truck burns hydrogen instead of gasoline for a zero-emission combustion powertrain

Automotive

Hyundai's hydrogen-powered NEXO EV boasts fast refueling, 370-mile range

Radhesh Krishnan January 8, 2018

Hyundai has unveiled the successor to its fuel-cell powered Tucson at CES. The Next-Generation Fuel Cell Vehicle (NEXO) brings updated styling and technology, increased power and torque, improved fuel economy and a range of 370 miles.

The NEXO aims to be the successor for the long-running Tucson FCEV launched in 2014