Hexagon Composites’ fully owned subsidiary Hexagon Lincoln was selected by Daimler AG to supply compressed hydrogen gas (CHG) cylinders for Daimler’s next generation of fuel cell electric vehicle. The new Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL will be presented in 2017. For the innovative vehicle a new generation (Type 4) of cylinders was developed.
“These are next generation cylinders for next generation vehicles,” says Rick Rashilla, Vice President Hydrogen Products. “They are the result of years of research, development and testing with Daimler’s wholly owned subsidiary NuCellSys, a world leader in fuel cell- and hydrogen tank-systems for vehicle applications.”
“Fuel cell technology is an integral part of our powertrain portfolio. The extremely short refueling time is one of the biggest assets of a fuel cell vehicle”, explains Prof. Dr. Christian Mohrdieck, Director Fuel Cell at Daimler AG.
Type 4 cylinders are the best choice for hydrogen applications because of their superior performance in extreme pressure, temperature and fatigue situations. CHG is stored at 700 bar/10,000 psi, the optimal pressure for hydrogen use. The GLC F-CELL range is about 500 km/310 miles (NEDC) and it can be refilled in about three minutes – the same time as a conventional combustion vehicle.
Hydrogen products are a complementary facet to Hexagon Composites’ commitment to the green shift, as CHG emits no greenhouse gases during use. The future of FCEVs is significant, and this order makes the Company a lead supplier to the market. Given its leading position in the natural gas vehicle (NGV) market, FCEVs are a natural expansion for the Company.
