UKM duo develop hydrogen-powered SUV and buggy

KUALA LUMPUR: Two researchers from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) have developed hydrogen hybrid vehicles that run on hydrogen fuel cells and emit zero carbon emissions.

Professor Dr Siti Kartom Kamarudin and Associate Professor Dr Mohd Shahbudin Mastar from the UKM Fuel Cell Institute led the research and development of the UKM FCH2HC, a mini version of a hybrid SUV, and the UKM-FCH2B, a buggy.

The hydrogen fuel cell vehicles were developed in collaboration with industry partners by modifying electric vehicles.

According to Siti Kartom, the UKM-FCH2B is unique as the battery has been replaced with a fuel cell system as an electrical power source to improve the buggy's operational efficiency, as well as a 3000W stationary power generator for electrical appliances.

"Meanwhile, the UKM-FCH2HC is a hybrid vehicle that combines a fuel cell and a battery in a 0.5 ratio, with each power source capable of providing a capacity of up to 10kW, allowing the vehicle to travel further.

"The fuel cell system is equipped with humidifiers and water coolers as supporting units to ensure optimal system performance at all times," she said.

Siti Kartom explained that a fuel cell generates electricity through electrochemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen in the surrounding environment.

"During the reaction, hydrogen and oxygen combine to produce electrical energy and harmless water vapour as a byproduct, making hydrogen safe because it does not contaminate or harm the surrounding environment, unlike liquefied petroleum gas.

The project began 15 years ago with research to develop high-quality catalysts and membranes. Only in the last three years have the team been able to bring together all of the fundamental components needed to develop the vehicle's system.

For now, the SUV and buggy would be used on campus, with speed limited to 60kph.

Siti Kartom said they are working on a second generation of the vehicles with increased capacity.

Mohd Shabuddin said the vehicles generate electricity via a fuel cell rather than relying solely on a battery.

The quick charging time of a fuel cell car is a significant advantage, he said.

Fully electric vehicles may take up to eight hours to charge completely, compared with fuel cell vehicles that can take less than three minutes depending on the pressure.

He added that one of the biggest hurdles in developing fuel cell vehicles is their high cost.

But mass production would lower the cost of production and make fuel cell vehicles affordable, he said.

"The 12th Malaysia Plan includes hydrogen as one of the government's renewable energy initiatives to develop hydrogen-powered vehicles, which I believe is a good start for the future of this technology," he said.

UKM Fuel Cell Institute has also been appointed as the Head of the Research Excellence Consortium Programme in the Transportation and Mobility category by the Ministry of Higher Education.

The launching symbolises the support and commitment of UKM towards Malaysia's Low Carbon Mobility Development Plan 2021-2030 to reduce greenhouse gas up to 45 percent by 2030 and to be listed as a carbon-neutral country by 2050.