Two-stage electric turbocharger for fuel cell testing

Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse will supply a pair of electric turbochargers as part of a project aimed at the development of a fuel cell electric demonstrator for commercial vehicles.

Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse has been selected by AVL Powertrain UK Ltd. to deliver 25 kW, 400 V two-stage electric turbochargers to support the development of a fuel cell electric demonstrator for commercial vehicles. The move is in collaboration with Ford UK, as part of the Advanced Propulsion Center UK’s (APCUK) project, Fuel Cell Commercial Vehicle Generation 1.0.

The initial delivery of the turbochargers, developed and manufactured in Toulouse, France, is scheduled in the coming month. They will be used as part of a six-week test run on a test rig and will be followed by a second test campaign on the vehicle this spring.

AVL Powertrain UK together with Ford Motor Co. aims to present a commercial vehicle with fuel cell propulsion at the annual Low Carbon Vehicle event in September.

“Liebherr has provided excellent technical and proactive support which has met not only the technical requirements of the project, but also the aggressive timescales,” said Dr. Bernadette Longridge, Engineering Centre manager, AVL Powertrain UK Ltd.

The project represents a further step in the product diversification strategy of Liebherr- Aerospace Toulouse. The company said it also strengthens Liebherr’s presence in the automotive industry and allows the company to develop its expertise in electrically powered turbochargers for other applications such as maritime and rail applications.