Jaguar Land Rover to develop hydrogen fuel cell Defender SUV

Jaguar Land Rover is developing a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle based on the new Defender SUV and plans to begin testing the prototype in 2022.

The prototype program, known as Project Zeus, is part of the company’s aim to only produce zero-tailpipe emissions vehicles by 2036.

JLR has also committed to zero carbon emissions across its supply chain, products and operations by 2039.

The program is partially funded by the government-backed Advanced Propulsion Center in the UK.

“We know hydrogen has a role to play in the future powertrain mix across the whole transport industry, and alongside battery electric vehicles, it offers another zero tailpipe emission solution for the specific capabilities and requirements of Jaguar Land Rover’s world class line-up of vehicles,” Ralph Clague, the head of hydrogen and fuel cells for Jaguar Land Rover said in a statement.

Fuel cell EVs, otherwise known as FCEVs, nearly doubled to 25,210 units in 2019 from the prior year, the latest data from the International Energy Agency shows.

The United States has been the leader in sales, although there was a dip in 2019, followed by China, Japan and Korea.