Fleet and leasing companies test drive hydrogen van

First Hydrogen welcomed 21 fleets and representatives from the wider industry to test drive its hydrogen fuel cell-powered light commercial vehicle (LCV) at its inaugural track day.  

Attendees at the Horiba Mira proving ground near Coventry, included fleet managers from Asda and Sainsbury’s, DPD, NHS England, Vinci Group, Anglo American, and Network Rail.

Several utilities providers including Wales and West Utilities, Northern Gas Networks, SGN and National Gas were also present. 

The track day also drew interest from vehicle leasing and rental companies, with Arval, Novuna Vehicle Solutions, and Redde Northgate in attendance, along with vehicle pricing experts, Glass’s Guide, and representatives from Brit European Transport, National Windscreens and the Canal and River Trust.

Steve Gill, CEO at First Hydrogen Automotive, said: “We’re delighted with the high level of interest we have received from UK fleet operators about our FCEVs and this enthusiasm was clearly present at our first driving experience day.

“By engaging fleets in similar events, we are demonstrating our FCEV’s capabilities to an audience who are on the road to zero emissions and can see a role for First Hydrogen technology in achieving their targets.

“Their feedback will help us achieve buy-in from fleets, some of whom are likely to become our Development Partners, helping us shape our future business and ultimately becoming customers for our vehicles.”  

The event gave operators the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the First Hydrogen 3.5 tonne van.  

Drivers were also treated to a vehicle walk-round and under-the-hood viewing of First Hydrogen’s technology.

The company’s partner, Ballard Power Systems, was present alongside First Hydrogen engineers to help attendees understand how the vehicles’ fuel cells work.

First Hydrogen’s road trials with fleet specialists Rivus and energy company SSE have demonstrated vehicle range, with a peak range of more than 400 miles (630km) on a single fuelling achieved during journeys from Aberdeen. 

The real-world operational trials also showed the minimal effect carrying heavy loads or driving at higher speeds had on vehicle range – crucial attributes for this vehicle class.  

Stephen Offley, transport manager at Wales and West Utilities, said: “It was fantastic to see a hydrogen vehicle of this weight class in action.

“We already know that hydrogen power will be essential to meet the critical range, payload and towing capabilities required by public utilities and other users, which cannot be met by battery electric vans.

“This experience shows that adoption could soon become a reality and will help operators to transition their whole fleets to zero emission technology.”