Land Rover to test hydrogen-powered Defender in 2021

Jaguar Land Rover has revealed it is testing a new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle based on the Defender with testing scheduled to happen this year.

The car company announced the news on 15 June.

The hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) concept forms part of Jaguar Land Rover’s advanced engineering initiative, Project Zeus.

The company aims to become a net zero carbon business by 2039.

“We know hydrogen has a role to play in the future powertrain mix across the whole transport industry, and alongside battery electric vehicles, it offers another zero tailpipe emission solution for the specific capabilities and requirements of Jaguar Land Rover’s world class line-up of vehicles,” Head of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, Ralph Clague, said in a statement.

Jaguar Land Rover will test the Defender FCEV prototype in the UK towards the end of 2021. The testing will focus on the car’s off-road capability and fuel consumption.

The second-generation Land Rover Defender launched in 2020. It is the first all-new version of the model since the original debuted in 1948.

According to the International Energy Agency, the number of FCEVs on the road worldwide has doubled since 2018.

The Hydrogen Council predicts there will be 10 million hydrogen-powered electric cars on the road by 2030.

Feature image: Jaguar Land Rover

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