Land Rover, in collaboration with its affiliated company Jaguar, aims for all its vehicles to be emissions-free by 2036. It’s an admirable objective, and following the path of other car manufacturers, JLR is adopting a diverse strategy to realize this ambition. One of the components of this strategy is FCEVs, referring to electric vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
JLR recently revealed that before the year concludes, Land Rover aims to have at least one experimental FCEV on the road: a modified Defender engineered to operate using electricity generated from hydrogen. This vehicle will be equipped with a fuel cell linked to a fairly standard electric drivetrain for propulsion, maintaining an appearance indistinguishable from any other Defender. It represents one of the initial stages in the roadmap towards achieving a carbon-neutral company within the next 15 years.
Land Rover
This fresh FCEV variant of the Defender falls under the “Project Zeus” initiative, which is partially supported by government funds and aims to advance emissions-free drivetrain technology. The project involves several other collaborators, including automotive supplier Marelli Automotive Systems, the UK Battery Industrialization Center, engineering consultancy Delta Motorsport, and engineering firm AVL.
Details about the drivetrain remain limited outside of the diagrams provided in the official announcement. JLR affirms that this new iteration of the Defender will satisfy the towing, off-roading, range, and refueling necessities of its customers. This suggests that the FCEV Defender will likely boast specifications akin to the current gasoline-powered models.
It remains uncertain when, or even if, a hydrogen-assisted Defender will reach consumers’ driveways. With JLR’s domestic market planning to prohibit the sale of combustion-engine vehicles by 2030, a resolution must arrive sooner rather than later. The solitary prototype will commence testing this year, as JLR strives to attain emissions-free status promptly. Stay tuned for additional updates on hydrogen-assisted and electrified offerings from the manufacturer.
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