HVS, a British commercial vehicle start-up, has announced that it will launching a hydrogen-electric truck with zero emissions. The company aspires to be one the leading innovators in the haulage industry.

The firm has showcased its hydrogen-electric powertrain for the first time in the form of a 5.5 tonne demonstrator truck. HVS is planning to launch a 40-tonne zero-emission HGV using its hydrogen-electric powertrain and is aiming to be the first in the UK to launch such a vehicle.

The hydrogen fuel cell permits longer range, higher load-carrying capacity and faster refuelling than using battery technology alone, according to HVS. The only emissions from the truck is water vapour meaning no harmful gases are released.

HVS is equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system and energy storage system to deploy electricity to the eAxle. The truck will also be outfitted with KERS, which recaptures energy under braking while the truck slows down.

The Glasgow-based company says that the HVS HGC car should be able to travel over 500 km (310 miles), depending on the route, road conditions and driving style.

No set date has been announced for the debut of HVS's first truck, though it will probably be a few years before we see the hydro-electric HGV model on roads. In addition, plans are underway to release a left-hand drive version of the hydrogen tractor unit.

Source: Autocar