Two neighbouring English counties have signed a ground-breaking deal that
will see 30 highly efficient hydrogen fuel-cell powered cars test-driven on their
roads and streets in 2012/13 in a year long pilot scheme. Riversimple, the
Ludlow based sustainable car company, has made an agreement with
Shropshire and Herefordshire that will see them cooperate in finding both
private citizens and organisations to test drive the vehicles and locate and staff
suitable refuelling points.
The counties are the second testing ground to be announced by Riversimple,
the other being the city of Leicester. And it is hoped that if the trials are
successful then the cars could eventually be made in the area.
Riversimple’s two seat vehicle has already been seen by thousands of people -
the prototype is a centrepiece of the Science Museum in London’s Climate
Science exhibition. With a body made of lightweight composites it weighs only
350kg and thanks to novel design principles is able to do the equivalent of 300
miles per gallon.
The new car, which is being redesigned by a team headed by the design chief of
the Fiat 500, will have a maximum cruising speed of 50 mph and a range on
one tank of hydrogen of at least 200 miles. Hydrogen produces nothing but a
few drops of water from the exhaust, although to achieve true “zero emission”
credentials the fuel must be produced from renewable energy sources.
Customers will not buy the cars outright. They will pay a fixed monthly and all
inclusive per mile charge to use the vehicles, similar to a mobile phone
contract. The estimated monthly cost will be around £250 plus a mileage fee,
including fuel. Customers will provide feedback both to improve the car and
the driving experience.
Hugo Spowers, the founder of Riversimple who lives in Herefordshire, said:
“We are delighted that Herefordshire and Shropshire have been chosen as
they are forward thinking and environmentally aware rural counties
situated on the Welsh borders making them ideal areas in which to operate
a pilot in parallel with our city trial in Leicester. Like it or not, the age of
the fossil fuelled car is nearing its end and for places like Herefordshire and
Shropshire to be pioneers as we look to the future is gratifying.”
Riversimple is in the process of second round fundraising, targeting £20 million
from investors. The principal backer thus far, the family of Ernst Piech, a
member of the Porsche dynasty, are committed to participating.
Keith Barrow, Shropshire Council’s leader, said: “We are pleased to be working
with Herefordshire Council to support this innovative, local company. The
two rural counties provide the perfect place to test these cars and I hope
that the trial will prove to be a great success.”
Ludlow MP Philip Dunne said: “This is an exciting development for Ludlow.
To have a ground-breaking hydrogen fuel cell project in Shropshire, is
another example of how innovators in renewable energy are choosing to
operate from Ludlow. Shropshire has several motor component
manufacturers supporting the motor industry across the West Midlands
and it is encouraging to see the local authorities in Shropshire and
Herefordshire collaborating to encourage this exciting technical innovation
in fossil-fuel free transmission.”
LEP Chairman, Dr. Geoffrey Davies, "Riversimple is an extraordinarily
innovative company, responding to today's enviromental challenges with
ground breaking products. This initiative is an excellent example of the
type of Marches business enterprise that can make a real difference to
economic growth in the area."
For further information on the company please look at www.riversimple.com
where there are pictures of the car - the latest in the download section are titled
"Founder Hugo Spowers with car". Pictures from Wednesday's announcement
will be loaded soon. For further media inquiries contact Charlie Burgess
charlie@charlieburgess.co.uk 07941371440