Proton Power Systems, a developer and producer of fuel cells and fuel cell electric hybrid systems, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smith Electric Vehicles (Smith), the commercial electric vehicle division of The Tanfield Group. Under the MoU, both parties will collaborate to build and market a battery-powered commercial vehicle, equipped with a Proton Power fuel cell system as a range extender.
The collaboration will aim to supply systems to local authorities and other fleet operators across Germany initially, and will address projects in the UK and North America.
This partnership will target Smith’s Edison range of electric light-duty vehicles, which are currently used by leading UK brands such as Sainsbury’s, Scottish & Southern Energy and Royal Mail. Smith has also rolled out its larger Newton vehicle in North America, through its associate company Smith Electric Vehicles US.
Proton Power and Smith will present the first prototype at the Hannover Fair in April 2010. Thereafter, the partners plan to roll out the vehicle in transport and maintenance applications across German municipalities, with the first vehicles due to be delivered in the last quarter of 2010.
The German-based hydrogen and electric vehicle promotion organisation (NOW) – backed by the German government – has expressed an interest in providing funding support to operators of electric vehicle fleets and local authorities in Germany for the purchase of up to 20 vehicles with specifications similar to the prototype which will be presented at the Hannover Fair.
Proton Power said that its PM200 fuel cell will improve the range of vehicle operation (from 160km to up to 300 km) enabling the vehicles to have a wider application within large fleets. It will also provide an on-board electrical supply, which will boost the ease of maintenance work, improving a vehicle’s suitability for every-day back-to-base applications, while also supporting auxiliary functions such as air conditioning and heating.
Thomas Melczer, CEO of Proton Power, said: “Our partnership with Smith Electric Vehicles is a major milestone for the Group. Fuel cell range extenders are an attractive option for overcoming the current problems of electric vehicles. There are strong initiatives, such as NOW, in Europe towards the adoption of electric vehicles and there is also considerable interest in the United States and Canada. We aim to use our fuel cell range extender to help electric vehicle manufacturers such as Smith break further into these markets.
“Smith has extensive experience with electric vehicles and a strong reputation in the market. We look forward to working with them to roll out our fuel cells as vehicle range extenders in Germany and beyond.”