Fuel Cell Range Extension
FCRx® is ULEMCo’s innovative hydrogen fuel cell-based range extension solution, designed to significantly increase the practical daily range of electric vehicles using zero-emission hydrogen technology.
By addressing the limitations of battery-only range, the FCRx® hydrogen fuel cell modules enable greater vehicle utilisation, operational flexibility, and wider duty cycle options – making electric vehicles more viable for demanding real-world applications such as deliveries, engineering services, and urban transport.
How does the technology work and what system is included?
The FCRx® power module is a modular hydrogen fuel cell power solution, that incorporates the fuel cell, hydrogen storage, and a “plug & play” control system that will seamlessly integrate onto base electric vehicle platforms.
Using commercially proven hydrogen fuel cell technology solutions – which generate electricity to power the vehicle, recharge its onboard battery and have water as the only emission – the associated hydrogen storage can be refuelled in minutes. The hydrogen powered module provides extra onboard energy to extend operation beyond the basic battery storage.
This gives fast, convenient access to increased range. The hydrogen fuel cell system is adaptable to meet the needs of a variety of specialist heavy use electric vehicle applications to meet specific customer requirements.
On a Nissan e-NV200, for instance, a roof mounted FCRx® hydrogen fuel cell system nearly doubles the practical range of the vehicle, accounting for factors such as payload, gradients, seasonal variation, and auxiliary power demands.
What expertise is involved?
ULEMCo provides full technical and operational support to enable seamless integration of FCRX®, including:
- Vehicle assessment to determine range requirements and system suitability
- Engineering design and tailored system integration
- Installation of the hydrogen fuel cell range extension module and associated components
- Guidance on hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, including on-site and national options
- Comprehensive safety support, technical advice, and driver training
- Ongoing optimisation to maximise system efficiency and operational performance
- ULEMCo integrates patented leak detection and proven hydrogen safety measures, including onboard storage solutions, into all vehicle conversion and development projects.
What are the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell range extenders?
FCRx® transforms the practicality of electric vehicles by overcoming range and charging limitations. With rapid refuelling and onboard hydrogen storage, operators benefit from fast, reliable access to extended range and greater flexibility for daily operations.
The hydrogen fuel cell system delivers true zero-emission performance – with water as the only by-product – while maintaining full vehicle functionality and similar load-carrying capacity. This balances the operational cost between direct charging and using hydrogen, whilst delivering the flexibility to ensure utilisation and productivity across the whole fleet.
FCRX® hydrogen fuel cells for range extension offer a scalable, future-ready solution that helps fleet operators meet decarbonisation targets without compromising operational efficiency.
