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Hydrogen-powered car firm could come to Peterborough
Peterborough could soon be at the centre of building and developing the greenest car in the world, The Evening Telegraph can reveal.
Peterborough could soon be at the centre of building and developing the greenest car in the world, The Evening Telegraph can reveal.It is understood that Peterborough is high on a list of possible locations for producing and manufacturing a hydrogen-powered car which would emit pure water from its exhaust pipe, instead of dangerous CO2 fumes.
A protype of the two-seater car which could be a flagship for eco-friendly motoring in the future has already been built, but expansion of the project would need facilities to build more and develop the gas which would power them.
Peterborough could beat rival cities to get the project because the flat surrounding countryside would be ideal for road tests, and because of easy access to the Midlands where the company behind the idea, Riversimple, is based.
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Hydrogen-powered vehicle
Riversimple say their car, which would cost an estimated 200 per month, including fuel and repair bills, is not a production prototype, but a design to show what is possible with today's technology.
The two-seater urban network electric car is powered by a 6kW hydrogen fuel cell and comes with a smooth bodyshell made from composite materials, to keep the weight down.
It has a top speed of 50mph (80kph), can accelerate from 0 to 30mph in 5.5 seconds, and has a range of more than 200 miles (320km). It is expected to achieve the equivalent of 300miles per gallon.
"Network electric" means the different components of the car's electrical system function as a network, allowing electricity to pass in multiple directions, which is a key element to its efficiency.
If Peterborough is chosen, the revolutionary car could be tried out on city streets as soon as 2012, and it would further enhance the bid to be recognised as the green capital of the UK, as well as create new jobs.
The news has been met with delight by Peterborough City Council leader, Marco Cereste, who was invited to the launch of the Riversimple Urban Car in London.
Cllr Cereste, who has already championed a greener city of the future by suggesting commuters should be able to travel into the city centre on water taxis, or take a steam engine along the Nene Valley Railway, sees developing the ultimate "clean" car in Peterborough as a huge boost.
He said: "It's a vehicle where the only emission is water, which is as close as you will get to being completely clean. Just imagine if we could get the water taxis, the rail line and the hydrogen car.
"If we can deliver that, it would be fantastic."
He said the major stumbling block to be overcome was finding a cheaper way of providing hydrogen for the cars, but he believes that will happen.
He said: "I think the real future for this city is around the environment business. Future growth and development will be provided by the environment companies of this city.
"That's what Peterborough is all about, so if we can make and use hydrogen cars here, then what a great way forward."
Riversimple say the Power Station, in Fengate, could be used to store the hydrogen needed to power the cars, which would initially be rented out to businesses and the general public.
Patrick Andrews, a partner in the company, said: "The chances of Peterborough having the car are reasonably high, as the city meets most of our criteria.
"We are still reviewing it, but we will make a decision in a few months' time. We are going to make 10 cars next year and they will be kept on a test track."
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