A bi-fuel Ford Focus, with minimal modifications, has successfully completed initial trials in a programme conducted on behalf of ITM Power Plc by the University of Hertfordshire. During the testing programme the vehicle was able to travel over 25 miles on a single charge of hydrogen ??“ ITM says this is longer than the average commuting journey ??“ before being switched back to run on petrol.

ITM Power, Europe??™s largest electrolyser and fuel cell company, has developed a low-cost electrolyser which can convert renewable energy (wind, wave or solar power) or off-peak electricity into hydrogen. It then used its own prototype ???home refuelling system??™ to fuel the dual-fuel Focus prototype. Both the refuelling system, which will be able to generate and store hydrogen at home or at work, and the bi-fuel car are to be publicly demonstrated later this year.

Meanwhile, ITM Power is finalising the design of a manufacturing facility in Sheffield which will deliver???one of the largest electrolyser production capabilities in the world???. Manufacturing is expected to commence as early as the first half of next year.

ITM Power says pilot FCVs such as Honda??™s and BMW??™s dual petrol/hydrogen 7 Series have no access to a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and rely on liquified hydrogen stored at ultra-low temperatures, while its conventional Ford Focus test car runs on hydrogen gas which can be produced anywhere with access to water and electricity.

ITM Power, which has its headquarters in Saffron Walden and research and development centre in Sheffield, is developing a number of devices that will allow homes, offices and factories, as well as vehicles, to use hydrogen.

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