Haskel helps fuel a revolution in travel
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Sunderland hydrogen fuel specialist Haskel Europe has helped make histyory.
The firm recently played a vital role in a landmark demonstration of hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles.
Haskel supported Toyota in its long-range demonstration to drive a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle the full length of Britain for the first time.
The Toyota Mirai stopped at the Sunderland plant – its first stop in England - to be filled via a mobile hydrogen refuelling station built using Haskel components including gas boosters specifically designed to handle pressurised hydrogen.
Haskel has recently launched the largest facility in Europe able to offer full scale testing of hydrogen fuelling systems and components and is in the process of developing the next generation of hydrogen refuelling solutions based out of its Sunderland facility which will complement its current range of products already installed around the world.
Stewart Anderson, Haskel Europe’s Hydrogen Engineering Manager, said: “Hydrogen fuel is a clean energy source which is set to transform the global transport industry and dramatically reduce carbon emissions.
“Toyota’s recent demonstration illustrates the viability of hydrogen vehicles and goes a long way to building consumer confidence in overcoming concerns about how far the car can drive with battery vehicles.”
Demand for hydrogen worldwide is projected to increase tenfold by 2050, creating some 30million jobs in the process.
Increasing the use of hydrogen could deliver a fifth of the greenhouse gas emission cuts needed by 2050 to limit the impacts of global warming according to the Hydrogen Council – a collective of automotive and energy firms.
Jon Hunt, Toyota’s Manager, Alternative Fuels, said: “Haskel is leading the way in the UK for hydrogen testing and we were delighted to use their new facilities in Sunderland as a stop to refuel the Mirai as it enabled our successful trip from John O’Groats to Lands End, the first hydrogen fuel cell powered car to complete this iconic journey.
“As the success of hydrogen powered cars relies in part on the availability of refuelling stations, and Haskel is a proven expert in designing and building these, we welcome the investment in these new facilities which will help Britain to increase its expertise and the country to move to cleaner, sustainable and more efficient transport and energy provision.”