Hydrogen Minibus From Wales Featured at GLOBE 2008

VANCOUVER, Canada--The Hydrogen Bus, a new triple hybrid vehicle developed at Glamorgan University in Wales, was featured at the Auto FutureTech 2008 Summit at the GLOBE 2008 conference, an international conference on the latest issues in business, technology and the environment, taking place here this week.

The technology behind the vehicle, which is powered by hydrogen, electric batteries and capacitors, was presented by Kevin Hammett, Accelerate Clusters Manager, Welsh Assembly Government. His presentation was part of the ‘The Hydrogen Powered Vehicles: Dreams & Reality’ conference session which took place this morning.

The Hydrogen Bus, which produces zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, is a ‘tribrid’ vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells, electrical batteries and ultra-capacitors. The 16-passenger bus has a maximum speed of 55 miles per hour and a range of 150 miles. It will go into service as an inter-campus shuttle at the University Glamorgan in Wales this spring.

“This vehicle will put Wales on the map as a leader in the field of development of non CO₂ technologies,” said Hydrogen Bus developer Jonathan Williams, a PhD candidate at the University of Glamorgan. “We have ambitious plans for this technology and hope that our work can pave the way for further advances in the development of hydrogen powered fuel cell technology.”

The vehicle is the result of collaboration among several Welsh and international enterprises. Dragon Coachworks, a joint venture of two Welsh automotive companies, supplied the body of the vehicle. Hydrogenics of Mississauga, Canada, provided the fuel cell technology and assistance in developing the system. The Maxwell High Voltage Capacitors were developed by General Atomics Energy Products of San Diego, California. Yuasa Battery (UK) Ltd. of Ebbw Vale, Wales, a subsidiary of Japanese company GS-Yuasa, Corp., provided the lead acid batteries for the vehicle.

Dragon Coachworks will develop a commercial version of the bus for sale in Europe and the U.S., at the expected cost of approximately 90,000 GBP ($190,000).

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International Business Wales is the economic development arm of the Welsh Assembly Government with the responsibility of helping international corporations locate operations in Wales, and with promoting international trade by Welsh businesses. IBW can assist businesses in finding suitable properties in Wales for their operations, help them in finding employees and in obtaining financial assistance from the Welsh government, when appropriate. For more information, visit www.ibwales.com