The standard GEM is powered by a traction battery, the capacity of which restricts the car's operating range and necessitates regular and lengthy recharging from the mains. But the new version developed by ECN and christened the HydroGEM has a far greater range and can be refuelled quickly. The fuel cell produces sufficient power to supply electricity to utensils such as electric tools as well. The HydroGEM is quiet and extremely clean, making it suitable for use at airports, railway stations, distribution centres and other industrial locations, not to mention on nature reserves and even in hospitals.

According to Frank de Bruijn, unit manager Hydrogen & Clean Fossil Fuels, the main purpose of the HydroGEM at this stage is to investigate how the fuel cell technology developed at ECN performs in practice. "Our own General Services Department starts using the HydroGEM this autumn," he explains, "making it the first Dutch hydrogen vehicle to enter operational service."

Compared with battery-powered vehicles, the HydroGEM has a considerably wider operating range. Lengthy recharging periods are also a thing of the past. Refuelling with hydrogen takes no more than ten minutes. The vehicle has an electronically limited maximum speed of 40kph and a payload of up to 400kg. The propulsion system developed by ECN consists of a 5kWe fuel cell, which is used in combination with the original 6.5kWh battery pack. The hydrogen is stored in a 76-litre tank at a pressure of 200 bar. That is sufficient fuel to enlarge its range to at least 200km.

ECN is one of Europe's leading institutes in hydrogen research. The mission of ECN's unit Hydrogen & Clean Fossil Fuels is to develop new fuel cell technologies for both mobile and stationary applications, with the aim of improving performance, reducing costs and extending operational life.

In April this year, ECN and the European Union's Joint Research Centre (JRC-IE) organised a well-attended open day for administrators and local government officers at their research facility in Petten. This featured presentations about the regulatory and safety aspects of hydrogen propulsion technology, practical experiences with it and licensing matters.