Hitachi has developed a high-pressure hydrogen gas compressor for use with fuel cells that will boost the range of vehicles using the technology.

At present, fuel cell vehicles can cover distances of around 300 to 400 kilometres with a full tank of hydrogen. However, the new compressor will enable hydrogen to be compressed to 84 megapascals, in comparison to the current 35, thereby significantly increasing a vehicle's range.

Together with the size of the hydrogen tank, range is among the main obstacles to the wider implementation of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. But both of these difficulties stand to be improved with the new compressor.

The compressor is suited to off-site filling, while Hitachi Industries and Hitachi Limited are currently working together towards an on-site hydrogen compressor.

Work on the on-site hydrogen gas compressor is expected to finish in 2007 and the companies are also developing a 100 megapascal compressor to improve range even further.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd