UK: Hydrogen and electric vehicle electrical system supplier Hypermotive and hydrogen traction technology company Vanguard STS have agreed to collaborate to accelerate the deployment of commercial hydrogen-powered rail vehicles and equipment.
Hypermotive acknowledged on March 12 that the transition to hydrogen power could be complex and challenging, particularly in highly regulated, specialised and niche areas. However, it could offer standard products and configurable flexible platforms along with established UK-based advanced manufacturing of electrical hardware.
Hypermotive has been integrating hydrogen fuel cell systems across multiple sectors since 2016, including work on the HydroFlex conversion of two ex-British Rail Class 319 EMUs to hydrogen power by University of Birmingham spin-off company Vanguard STS and Porterbrook Leasing.
Hypermotive will now work with Vanguard STS to deploy its Hypercore control technologies on the HydroShunter, which has been converted from a Class 08 diesel loco, and on other hydrogen rail programmes both in the UK and internationally.
