LONDON — Ford mentioned it is going to check a small fleet of prototype hydrogen fuel-cell variations of its electrical E-Transit mannequin to see if they’re a workable zero-emission choice for purchasers hauling heavy items lengthy distances.

Ford will lead a consortium within the three-year venture that features BP, which is able to concentrate on hydrogen and infrastructure, and British on-line grocery store and know-how group Ocado.

“Ford believes that the first utility of gas cells might be in its largest, heaviest industrial autos to make sure they’re emission-free, whereas satisfying the excessive each day power necessities our clients demand,” Ford’s UK Chairman Tim Slatter mentioned in a press release.

Curiosity in utilizing hydrogen gas cells to energy vehicles and vans is getting a lift from fleet operators in search of a extra sensible various to electrical autos and rising authorities help, notably the U.S. Inflation Discount Act (IRA).

Whereas a lot of the world’s combustion engine vehicles and short-distance vans and lorries needs to be changed by battery electrical autos over the following 20 years, hydrogen fuel-cell proponents and a few long-haul fleet operators say batteries are too heavy, take too lengthy to cost and will overload energy grids.

Automobiles with hydrogen gas cells, wherein hydrogen mixes with oxygen to supply water and power to energy a battery, can refuel in minutes and have a for much longer vary than these with BEVs.

However there are main challenges to be overcome for mass adoption of hydrogen gas cells, together with the dearth of fueling stations and inexperienced hydrogen made utilizing renewable power to energy them.

The venture is partially funded by the Superior Propulsion Centre, a authorities and auto business enterprise.