Hyperdrive

Land Rover Tests Defender SUV Prototype With Hydrogen Fuel-Cell

  • Prototype Defender will be partly funded by U.K. government
  • Fuel cell models struggle with costs, limited infrastructure
Jaguar Land Rover hydrogen-powered Defender SUV prototypeSource: Jaguar Land Rover

Jaguar Land Rover will develop a hydrogen-powered prototype of its iconic Defender SUV as the carmaker works toward cutting tailpipe emissions to zero by 2036.

The fuel-cell Defender will be partly funded by the U.K. government and testing will start at the end of this year, Jaguar Land Rover said in a statement. Rapid refueling times is making hydrogen, which only emits water when consumed by a fuel cell, ideal for larger vehicles with longer driving ranges, the carmaker said.