Firms partner to commercialise on-vehicle hydrogen production system

Exxon Mobil Corporation, QuestAir Technologies, Plug Power and Ben Gurion University have agreed to collaborate in an attempt to commercialise an on-vehicle hydrogen production system for use in fuel cell-powered lift trucks.

Plug Power aims to commercialise technologies developed by Exxon Mobil, QuestAir and Ben Gurion University which convert gasoline, diesel, ethanol or biodiesel into hydrogen onboard a vehicle. This hydrogen is then used to power a fuel cell powertrain.

"By developing a system that converts liquid hydrocarbons into hydrogen directly on a vehicle without the need for storage, we hope to demonstrate significant infrastructure, logistics and cost advantages compared to other hydrogen vehicle systems, all while reducing the impact on the environment," commented Dr Emil Jacobs, vice president of research and development at Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering.

Dr Jacobs added that the technology could be used in passenger vehicles in the future, while testing the system in lift truck applications would help to demonstrate the technology's potential in the short to medium term.


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Source: Adfero