HVS to work on UK’s first driverless hydrogen-powered HGV
By Luke Willetts - 21st February 2023
HVS driverless hydrogen-powered HGV concept
UK – Glasgow-based start-up manufacturer, Hydrogen Vehicle Systems Ltd (HVS), which leads the Hub2Hub consortium has been allocated GBP6.6 million of government funding to produce a level 4 autonomous hydrogen-powered HGV for the UK market, to begin trials in 2024 with UK retailer, Asda. The project will utilise Bristol-based Fusion Processing Ltd’s Automated Drive System (CAVStar). Two prototype vehicles will be produced, the first fitted with a driver’s cab and will be tested on the roads with a driver at the wheel. The second will operate without a driver and be evaluated on test tracks with a driver operating remotely.
The project is partly funded by the Centre for Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) with the aim of demonstrating the potential cost and emissions savings to be had by utilising these vehicles, as well as dealing with the long-term systemic issue of a driver shortage in the UK.
