Summary:
A UK Midlands based SME has developed an innovative gas refuelling appliance for vehicles allowing consumers to refill their NGV (Natural Gas Vehicles) from home. This has been lifetime tested and the cost is such that fuel cost savings can allow paybacks of below 2 years to be achieved. The company is now seeking partnerships with industrial organisations to manufacture their appliance, but also who can provide routes to market via a commercial agency agreement.
Description:
Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs) are an established technology globally, offering over 20% reduction in greenhouse gases, no particulates, and up to 60% fuel cost savings.
However, uptake of natural gas as a light vehicle fuel in Europe is heavily restricted by the rate of roll out of a public fuelling infrastructure.
The personal refuelling appliance has been developed by the UK Midlands SME to increase the rate of uptake of NGVs, and partners are now being sought to launch this innovative and patented product in Europe.
The product is the natural gas equivalent of an electric charging post, and allows customers to enjoy the benefits of using natural gas (up to 60% fuel cost saving, lower CO2 footprint, clean vehicle emissions) without waiting for costly public fast fill CNG (compressed natural gas) refuelling stations to be built in their area.
Over 1.5 million NGVs are on the road in Europe, and over 50 different models of natural gas fuelled cars and light vans are offered by OEM manufacturers with full OEM warranties. Fiat and VW have the highest sales of natural gas fuelled cars in Europe.
The appliance is similar in size to a small fridge and has been designed to be easy to install and use. The unit is slow fill in that it takes several hours to fill the on-vehicle storage. A fill will typically allow journeys of 350km to be undertaken.
In the commercial market the appliances can be used with on-site storage to form a mini fast fill system.
The appliance is based on a patented, novel, 3 stage, completely oil free compressor which has been designed specifically for the job and which has exceptionally low maintenance costs.
The appliance has been lifetime tested and the cost is such that fuel cost savings can allow paybacks of below 2 years to be achieved.
The appliance has the potential to be a mass market product and may be suitable for use with hydrogen fuelled light vehicles.
The company is now seeking partnerships with industrial organisations to manufacture their appliance, but also who can provide routes to market via a commercial agency agreement.
Type (e.g. company, R&D institution…), field of industry and Role of Partner Sought:
Organisation type:
Preferably larger organisations (industrial) with adequate financial resources, with manufacturing capabilities and with commercial routes into international markets.
Partnership type:
The emphasis will now be on a manufacturing and/or commercial agency agreement.
Additional info on role and spec:
They believe that their unit/appliance can be used to refuel H2 cars/vans. (Outlet pressure would be 350bar so it would be good if this can be included in the spec when manufacturing).
Target country/market:
In terms of target markets, Germany would be ideal but open to other countries too.
Technical Specification or Expertise Sought:
Larger company with adequate financial resources, with manufacturing capabilities and with commercial routes into international markets.
Stage of Development:
Available for demonstration
IPR Status:
Secret Know-how,Patents granted,Trade Marks
Comments Regarding IPR Status:
Granted patents in: UK, USA, Austria, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Turkey.
External code:
BOUK20210204001
