Californian based technology company Hyperion who specialize in hydrogen innovation has unveiled its highly-anticipated hydrogen-powered supercar, the XP-1…
In pursuit of bringing space and aeronautical technology to the road, this radical supercar will utilize an advanced hydrogen-fuelled propulsion system and aims to help usher in a new frontier of automotive technology.
Representing a massive leap in personal transportation and sustainable hydrogen power, the XP-1 features a high-performance, zero-emissions hydrogen-electric powertrain combined with technology directly derived from some of the world’s leading aeronautical, engineering firms, and space agencies. When combined, these technologies allow the XP-1 to outperform modern sports cars while boasting unprecedented range, refuel time, endurance, and recyclability; especially when compared to today’s battery-electric vehicles.
Powered by compressed hydrogen the Hyperion XP-1 which weighs less than 2275 pounds will be able to drive up to 1,000 miles on a single tank with the all-wheel-drive car able to go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.2 seconds. Made of composites, Kevlar, aluminium, and titanium, it has no hefty engine or battery pack, just electric motors serving up punishing torque, enabling it to reach a max of 22mph.
Hydrogen is the first and simplest element on the periodic table. Colourless and odorless, it has only a single proton at its centre with one electron around it. While it is the most plentiful element in the universe, hydrogen doesn't naturally exist by itself. Before it can be used as a fuel, hydrogen has to be broken out of molecules of water, natural gas or other substances which is done by using electricity to split those larger molecules apart. Energy is then released inside the car when the hydrogen combines again with oxygen.
One of the main advantages of hydrogen as a clean fuel is that a full tank of hydrogen takes much less time than charging a battery. It only takes three to five minutes to fill the tank on the XP-1 for a 1,000 mile trip as opposed to several hours in an electric car.
At present there are only three hydrogen models to on the market: the Honda Clarity, Hyundai Nexo and Toyota’s Mirai and these haven’t really set the automotive world alight however this is primarily because the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is still in its infancy with very few stations available worldwide. Hyperion claim they will create 300 refuelling station over the coming years.
Hyperion already has several operational prototype cars, with a limited run of just 300 cars expected to be delivered to customers by the end 2022. No details of pricing for the car have been revealed, but indicated that prices will vary depending on the level of performance and model extra’s.
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