H2 fuel cell street sweeper from Green Machines
Green Machines has just presented a street sweeper powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The GM 500H2 is based on the battery-electric GM 500ze and is offered with either a permanently installed hydrogen tank or with H2-Pod, a flexible hydrogen cartridge system.
With the two versions of the FC sweeper, Green Machines wants to address both customers both with and without a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. In the model with H2 pod, the cartridges can be exchanged and thus provide energy replenishment via an exchange system. The drive system in both cases is so modular that the battery-electric GM 500ze can be converted to fuel cell operation. Green Machines has not yet revealed prices for the new purchase or for the conversion.
Green Machines says the GM 500H2 can “work for one shift” or, in the worst case, be refuelled in a few minutes. The maximum speed is 25 kph. Some key data not yet mentioned by the company could also be derived from the battery-electric version. The dimensions should be identical: With a length of 3.33 meters, a width of 1.2 meters and a height of 1.98 meters, the sweeper is more compact than usual in the European sweeper segment. The battery-electric machine has a wheelbase of 1.38 meters and a turning circle (“kerb to kerb”) of 2.75 meters. Green Machines lists 1.3 and 1.9 meters as the working width with retracted and extended brushes respectively. The capacity of the collection container is one cubic meter. As optional accessories, the manufacturer offers air conditioning, a rear view camera, a high-pressure cleaner, central lubrication, a flexible hose and radio/CD.
Green Machines was founded in 1964 and has its roots in Scotland. Since October 2019, the company has been part of Brako DOO Veles, a sweeper manufacturer based in Northern Macedonia. The cooperation between the two companies began four years ago. Since the takeover, the Scottish company has been operating under the name of Green Machines DOO Veles. The former headquarters is now a wholly-owned subsidiary called GM Sweepers UK Ltd, another subsidiary called Green Machines International is located in the Netherlands.
0 Comments