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Riversimple threw decades of confidentiality and closely guarded secrets in the auto industry out the window on June 16, 2009. The British auto design firm introduced its hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Hyrban, to the public on this date. In addition to an innovative drivetrain design, Riversimple is also making waves by making its designs available to manufacturers through an open-source agreement with 40 Fires Foundation.
The Riversimple Hyrban features a network electric drivetrain that allows energy to pass freely from ultracapacitors, fuel cells and other elements. The 6 kW hydrogen fuel cell, 21kg ultracapacitors and in-wheel motors are designed to pass excess energy between components to avoid wasted power. The vehicle’s ultracapacitors can produce 15kW of electricity in 10-second bursts, which eases the strain off the hydrogen fuel cell in the process.
The Hyrban’s distinctive drivetrain can reach an equivalent fuel mileage rating of 300 MPG according to Riversimple. This two-seat coupe has a composite metal/plastic body that reduces overall weight for a sleeker ride. Riversimple claims that the Hyrban can achieve 50 miles per hour and hit 30 miles per hour from a dead stop in 5.5 seconds. The estimated range of the Riversimple Hyrban is 200 miles, which would be a competitive figure for commuters in Europe and the United States.
Riversimple relied heavily on collaborations to make the Hyrban possible. Engineers at Oxford and Canfield Universities helped create the motors and controls for the Hyrban. Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies of Singapore will produce the hydrogen fuel cells used in the Hyrban once the vehicle is in production. The 40 Fires Foundation will facilitate open-source licensing to auto manufacturers who want to advance Riversimple’s cause of replacing traditional vehicles with eco-friendly cars.
Once an auto manufacturer agrees to use the open-source license, Riversimple anticipates a vehicle lease program for the Hyrban. The lease program would allow Riversimple to provide not only service through authorized shops but hydrogen fuel cells included in the monthly lease payment. Riversimple has estimated that a small auto factory could produce up to 10,000 Hyrban units per year once orders start to accumulate. The Riversimple model shows the dynamism that will be needed by auto design firms and manufacturers as we head into an eco-friendly future. Instead of vertically integrated automakers handling everything in house, companies like Riversimple will collaborate with OEMs, universities and distributors to create cleaner vehicles that consumers actually want to drive.
