Jaguar Land Rover is developing a fuel cell drive for the Land Rover Defender. A prototype of the FCEV off-road vehicle is scheduled to begin testing by the end of the year.
Land Rover Defender FCEV
Screenshot: JLR / Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
British car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover is developing a fuel cell powertrain for the Land Rover Defender SUV as part of its "Reimagine" electrification strategy. The company sees advantages for FCEVs primarily in energy density, rapid refueling and range. As a result, fuel cell propulsion is said to be ideal for larger vehicles that operate in extreme climates and are expected to carry a high towing load.
The prototype Land Rover Defender is being developed in "Project Zeus" and is scheduled to begin testing in the United Kingdom toward the end of 2021. The main focus will be on off-road characteristics and fuel consumption. Delta Motorsport, AVL and Marelli Automotive Systems are involved in the project, as is the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC).