JLR progresses project Zeus to push FCEV for mid-2020

Jaguar Land Rover is working with partners in the British government-sponsored ‘Zeus’ project to develop fuel cell versions of its larger vehicles. A drivable prototype is to be available shortly.

JLR was among the carmakers that benefitted from £73.5 million in funding through the Advanced Propulsion Centre that the British government announced in June. In the case of Jaguar Land Rover, the company is using the money to further project Zeus to develop fuel cell technology.

Autocar now reports that progress is being made as the first fuel cell concept to emerge from this project will probably be an SUV the size of the Range Rover Evoque. The next-generation Range Rover Evoque’s arrival is expected in the middle of the 2020s. JLR may then use the fuel cell technology for zero-emissions versions of larger models in the future.

Jaguar is working on several battery-electric models to join the Jaguar I-Pace. However, production of the electric XJ had recently been delayed due to the pandemic. The same team of experts will develop the announced electric successor of the Jaguar I-Pace. The electric sedan will be equipped with a 90.2 kWh battery for ranges of up to 470 kilometres.

JLR is also working to install an electric car cluster around Birmingham. The company also announced its intention to start up a battery assembly centre at Hams Hall, which will produce power storage units for 150,000 vehicles per year. At the Wolverhampton Engine Manufacturing Center, the company plans to manufacture its electric drive units.

For the fuel cell driven project Zeus, JLR product engineering chief Nick Rogers described it as “really, really important”, according to Autocar. He added that the company will soon reveal a driveable hydrogen fuel cell concept car.

Once the technology is production-ready, it will likely serve Range Rover vehicles that can do with some extra range due to their typical weight and size.

autocar.co.uk (with renderings)