Riversimple also plans the same project in another UK city
Riversimple, a sustainable car company, has signed an agreement with the Leicester City Council that will see 30 highly energy efficient hydrogen fuel-cell powered cars on the streets of Leicester, in the UK.
The first project of its kind, the agreement also involves the co-operation between the council and Riversimple in finding private citizens and organisations to test-drive the vehicles and locate and man a suitable refueling point.
If this 12-month pilot project becomes successful, Riversimple will also be interested to make Leicester the site for its factory that would produce 5,000 cars per year. The company has plans for a second pilot programme in another UK city.
“We are delighted to have found, in Leicester, a city which realises that the goal of sustainable transport means that words have to be turned into actions,” said Hugo Spowers, founder of Riversimple. “By signing this deal we will both become pioneers. The age of fossil fuelled cars may not be over yet but it is surely dying.”
Riversimple said the fuel-cell powered car is a two-seat vehicle designed by a small tam of British motorsport engineers, and was built at Silverstone. Weighing only 350 kilogram, the car has a maximum cruising speed of 50 miles per hour and has a range of at least 200 miles on one tank of hydrogen. With its novel design principles, the car is able to do the equivalent of 300 miles per gallon.
“Hydrogen produces nothing but a few drops of water from the exhaust, although to achieve true “zero emission” credentials the fuel must be produced from renewable energy sources too,” said a statement, dated June 14, distributed by newswire service Marketwire.
Sheila Lock, chief executive of Leicester City Council, said the agreement with Riversimple confirms Leicester as a city that adheres to the principles of sustainable development.
“We recognise that we have a duty to our residents, their children and to the country, to reduce pollution and help prevent global warming,” she stressed. “This is yet another step in making Leicester a better place to live and we look forward also to the possibility of providing factory jobs if things go well.”
Riversimple is targeting $29.6 million (£20m) from investors for its second round of fund raising, with the family of Ernst Piëch, a member of the Porsche dynasty, committing to participate.
London-based investment banks Innovator Capital Limited and Sustainable Development Capital LLP are supporting this fundraising.
