UK government offers £6.6m to Hydrogen Vehicle Systems for establishing the first autonomous hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicle
The UK is set to take a significant step forward in the automotive industry, as a consortium led by Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) is developing the world's first self-driving hydrogen HGV. The project, known as Hub2Hub, has been awarded £12 million in government funding and is expected to revolutionize the haulage and logistics sectors.
The consortium, which also includes Fusion Processing Ltd and major UK retailer ASDA, aims to create a self-driving heavy goods tractor unit. Integration of advanced sensor technology, such as radars, LIDARs, cameras, and Artificial Intelligence, will provide unprecedented operational safety without human intervention.
The project is part of a government-funded initiative supported by the UK's Centre for Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). The goal is to reduce the freight sector's contribution to climate change through cost savings provided by autonomous lorries.
The £12 million venture will result in the development of Hub-to-Hub automated driving technology. HVS will create an autonomous-enabled hydrogen-electric HGV and a fully autonomous cab-less vehicle for the project. The vehicle testing for the autonomous HGVs is scheduled to begin in 2024.
The Hub2Hub project aims to offer greater efficiency, safety, operational savings, and new employment opportunities. With forecasts predicting that by 2035, 40% of new UK car sales will have self-driving capabilities, the market value for connected and automated mobility could be worth £41.7 billion to the UK, creating nearly 40,000 skilled jobs in connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology.
The application of this advanced system offers a next-generation solution to the haulage industry's issues, such as driver shortages and improvement in driver quality of life. The project is expected to showcase the potential of autonomy in the transportation sector, offering a promising future for sustainable and efficient logistics.
The UK government's support for the Hub2Hub project underscores its commitment to innovative and green technologies, positioning the country at the forefront of the autonomous vehicle revolution. As the project progresses, we can look forward to witnessing the transformative impact of self-driving hydrogen HGVs on the UK's transportation sector and beyond.
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