WAE’s EVRh Platform to Accelerate Hydrogen Fuel Cell Development
WAE, a British engineering firm, has unveiled its latest architecture for “ultra-high performance” hydrogen-fueled vehicles. Named the EVRh, this platform aims to accelerate the development of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) by incorporating cutting-edge technology.
The EVRh platform builds upon the success of WAE’s previous EVR architecture, which was designed to assist low-volume sports car manufacturers in transitioning to battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). However, the EVRh is specifically tailored to showcase the capabilities of FCEVs.
One of the key features of the EVRh platform is its integration of a cutting-edge H2 fuel cell system and a liquid-cooled battery pack. This combination allows the platform to produce an impressive 576bhp and achieve a 0-62mph time of less than 2.5 seconds. Additionally, FCEVs utilizing the EVRh platform will be able to deliver sudden bursts of power required for acceleration, a feature that current FCEVs do not excel at compared to their BEV counterparts.
WAE estimates that a vehicle built on the EVRh platform could complete a lap of the Nürburgring in less than 7 minutes and 20 seconds, highlighting its high-performance capabilities. Moreover, the EVRh platform is designed to be lightweight and versatile, accommodating various body types such as grand-touring coupés and targa-tops.
In terms of charging capabilities, the EVRh platform supports rapid charging at rates of up to 120kW. This ensures that FCEVs utilizing the platform can be charged quickly and efficiently, enhancing their practicality and convenience for everyday use.
The EVRh platform features a mid-engined layout, optimizing the vehicle’s center of gravity. It can support both rear-wheel and front-wheel drive configurations, offering flexibility to manufacturers. WAE refers to the power unit as an “FCEV battery pack,” highlighting its integrated design and the absence of any moving parts. This design choice results in a low center of gravity and balanced weight distribution between the front and rear of the vehicle.
One of the key advantages of the EVRh platform is its potential to expedite brands’ entry into the hydrogen car market. By reducing development time and costs, WAE aims to facilitate the adoption of FCEVs by automakers, ultimately driving the growth of the hydrogen car market.
The EVRh platform utilizes a lightweight composite structure with a rigid central tub, capable of supporting both track-only and road-going vehicles. It offers the option for rear-wheel or four-wheel drive configurations, with various motor setups available.
The EVRh platform is closely related to WAE’s EVR platform, which focuses on battery-electric vehicles. The EVR platform, introduced in September 2022, aims to assist smaller car manufacturers in entering the electric car market. Notably, Austrian start-up Deus is utilizing the EVR platform for its Vayanne hypercar, boasting an impressive power output of 2169bhp and 1475lb ft.
What sets both the EVRh and EVR platforms apart is WAE’s extensive experience in advanced battery technology. Having supplied batteries for Formula E since 2014 and more recently for Extreme E, WAE has a proven track record in developing cutting-edge battery solutions.
WAE presented the EVRh platform at Cenex LCV, an event focused on achieving net-zero emissions in road transport solutions. The unveiling of the EVRh platform demonstrates WAE’s commitment to innovation and transformative technologies for zero-carbon vehicles.
Technical director Paul McNamara expressed WAE’s dedication to developing cost-effective solutions for zero-carbon vehicles, stating, “EVRh is another key example of WAE’s capabilities in the development of solutions for zero-carbon vehicles, enabling state-of-the-art FCEVs to be brought to market rapidly and cost-effectively.”
With the introduction of the EVRh platform, WAE aims to propel the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology and drive the adoption of FCEVs in the automotive industry. By combining cutting-edge H2 fuel cell systems with advanced battery technology, the EVRh platform offers a promising solution for high-performance, zero-emission vehicles of the future.