The Garage 343

TOWSHOW
AA hydrogen fuel cell patrol vehicle
to showcase next step in breakdown
vehicle evolution
● Having taken a lead in the conversion to electric vehicles the AA exhibits a new
first with its hydrogen fuel cell roadside breakdown vehicle
● The AA Hyundai NEXO shows how Patrol vehicles will evolve to assist the AA’s
13 million members in the future
The AA takes its next radical step in the
evolution of roadside rescue vehicles
by showcasing a hydrogen fuel cell
breakdown vehicle at this month’s Tow Show.
Its appearance at the Telford event (28-29
September) has major significance. The West
Midlands has been chosen for the AA’s trial
of this cutting-edge engine technology.
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) use
a propulsion system like that of electric
vehicles, where energy stored as hydrogen
is converted to electricity by the fuel cell.
Unlike conventional internal combustion
engine vehicles, these vehicles produce
no harmful tailpipe emissions. The only
emissions are water.
Team AA has designed the NEXO to be an
operational roadside breakdown vehicle. It
will carry most of the tools, equipment, and
spares that you would find on the rest of
their yellow Patrol fleet.
It will be targeted at breakdown jobs in
ultra-low emission areas that require fixes
rather than tows. The vehicle will begin its
operational service in the Midlands area
working in and around Birmingham’s clean air
zone (CAZ).
The SUV-type vehicle has a fuel cell
system that combines oxygen and hydrogen
to create a flow of electrons that powers
the electric drive motor and charges the
1.56kWh high voltage battery.
The NEXO can fuel up in just five minutes
and has an impressive range of 414 miles
(WLTP) which is more than enough for city
work.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “The
discussions about carbon reduction and
zero-emission vehicles have tended to
concentrate on Battery Electric Vehicles
(BEVs). At the AA we are investing in electric
vehicles but believe that there will be a role
for hydrogen and possible synthetic fuels
in the future. Hence, we want Patrols to
pilot this hydrogen fuel cell vehicle to see
what lessons we can learn. We are aware
hydrogen might be used for the bigger tow
trucks in the future.
“The AA Hyundai NEXO could be a perfect
fit for Patrol work in ultra-low emission
zones so are looking forward to putting
it to work. We accept that the hydrogen
refuelling infrastructure is not currently
extensive, but the 414-mile range makes the
vehicle viable for our needs.
“As part of our ESG strategy we believe
that driving doesn’t have to cost the earth
and we’re committed to reducing our
impact and supporting drivers to do the
same. To achieve this the AA has recently
announced its commitment to become
Net Zero for our own Emissions by 2035,
including our greenhouse gas emissions
generated by our operational fleet which
are the AA’s most significant source of direct
emissions.
“This is an ambitious target, as there isn’t
yet a van in production that can run on
alternative fuel and meet all our needs. But
we’re trialling technology as it becomes
available and investing in innovation that
reduces our impact. We’re also partnering
with others to help develop the tech that’ll
make it easier to transition to electric and
lower carbon emission vehicles.
“As part of this target we are rolling out
electric vehicles (EVs) into our operational
fleets, where we can and trialling other low
carbon vehicles and technology
across our group, like hydrogen
chargers and vehicles to gain learning and
understanding how these vehicles could be
used in the future.
“The launch of our fuel cell vehicle is
another step towards our technological and
sustainable future.”
12 THE GARAGE
12,13 News AA.indd 1 15/09/2022 11:52