Hundreds can be saved with hydrogen fuel cells

Mar 18 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

“THE TECHNOLOGY has been proven on a 12.7l turbo diesel engine to save between £200 and £400 a week,” says Derek Foxcroft of Middlesbrough’s Refreshco Ltd, who plans to go into production on his hydrogen fuel cell technology any day now.

An under-the-bonnet bolt-on for petrol and diesel engines, designed to be used on the smallest family car to commercial lorries, the cell is based on simple chemistry, which is simultaneously being developed for other applications at the Centre for Process Innovation in Wilton.

A former Army tank crewman who spent eight years in manufacturing before moving into the transport industry, Mr Foxcroft claims to be one of only two manufacturers of the technology for vehicles in the UK.

He describes it as “so simple, it takes people by surprise”.

Which begs the question, why isn’t it more widely available?

“I think BMW and VW will surprise us in the next 10 years,” says Foxcroft.

But meanwhile, he aims to get ahead of the game by retailing a kit through the high street from as little as £100.

He’s working through Renew Tees Valley to approach insurance underwriters to have the product approved and investigating warranties.

But he points out that all the component parts are already ISO standard.

He claims cars fitted with the technology have successfully passed the emissions test with their catalytic converters removed.

“Anything that reduces emissions and is good for your pocket has got to be a winner,” says Foxcroft, who aims to make 254 kits in the first phase of production over the next 12 months.

And with nine out of 10 cars in the UK likely to fall foul of the new green road tax, demand could well exceed supply.