Cranfield University helps design hydrogen car

Cranfield University has collaborated with a number of engineering institutions to produce a lightweight hydrogen-powered car capable of travelling 240 miles without the need to refuel.

Hugo Spowers, a graduate of the learning academy, was the pioneer behind the two-seater vehicle, which can reach speeds of up to 50mph and took ten years to develop.

Made of lightweight composites, the automobile is able to store energy it produces while braking and uses a hydrogen fuel cell for power.

Engineering teams involved on the Riversimple Urban Car include Oxford University and Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies.

John Constable, former Director of Cranfield's School of Management and current Chairman of Riversimple, praised the university for its contributions.

He said: 'It is an electric car with a lot of electronics and software in it which controls everything going on. Cranfield helped to integrate all the systems together.'

Earlier this week, the learning body appointed Professor Ian Wallace as the Head of Cranfield Defence and Security.