The goal of the “Hydrocycle” collaborative R&D project is to research and develop a hydrogen-powered small vehicle. These vehicles are needed on the market to meet the European Commission’s mobility targets (Green Deal) by 2050. Both the European Union and the EU member states themselves view hydrogen as the energy carrier of future mobility. The innovative fuel cell stack, which is to be further developed in this project by WätaS Wärmetauscher Sachsen GmbH, is the key technology in the initiative. Research into new manufacturing approaches and functionalities of the fuel cell stack is supported by Fraunhofer IWU. Fraunhofer IWU is also testing the integration of the new development into the vehicle concept being developed by the Czech project partners. 1to1design s.r.o. and the Faculty of Transportation Sciences at the Czech Technical University in Prague are developing and validating approaches for the design and hybridization of the new drive concept for small vehicles. ÚJV Řež, a. s. is contributing its expertise in the development of fuel cell vehicles and providing testing facilities.
The project proposal thus contributes to CO2-neutral mobility in both urban and suburban areas. The new propulsion concept also has a positive impact on road traffic noise and the space required by vehicles. Within two years, integration and manufacturing approaches are to be developed, technologies tested, prototypes built, and the results demonstrated in a prototype demonstration vehicle.
The project has the potential to serve as a benchmark for mobile fuel cell applications, thereby enabling the identification, reproduction, and resolution of application-specific challenges faced by the (automotive) industry.
