Next month’s MPG Marathon will see a hydrogen fuel cell Hyundai ix35 put through its paces under a collaboration between the University of Birmingham, Lex Autolease and Fuel Cell Systems.

The zero-emission Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell will compete in this year’s MPG Marathon with refuelling support en route

Sponsored by ALD Automotive, RAC Business and Crystal Ball, the event takes place 18-19 October based at the Heythrop Park Resort in Oxfordshire.

Competitors will be tasked with planning their own routes to four different venues across the heart of the country, including a visit to the iconic Silverstone racing circuit in Northamptonshire, home to the British Grand Prix.

The Hyundai ix35 will mark the only hydrogen vehicle in the event and will be piloted by the University of Birmingham and Lex Autolease, with support from a mobile refuelling unit from Fuel Cell Systems, which will be demonstrated in pre-production form during the event.

Monica Guise, sustainable logistics manager at the University of Birmingham, commented: “The University is at the forefront and plays a pivotal role in the work carried out at the Centre for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research. We hope that by taking part in the MPG Marathon we can show how sustainable and effective hydrogen fuel is.”

“We’re committed to giving fleets access to the very latest in alternative fuelled vehicles,” said Chris Chandler, principal consultant at Lex Autolease. “What’s particularly exciting about this entry is despite it being a very new technology and road fuel, this is a genuine fleet car being used on a daily basis by the University of Birmingham, not a trial or demonstration car.”

Fuel Cell Systems MD, Tom Sperrey added: “Whilst the UK hydrogen filling station network continues to grow, there are many regions where hydrogen is not yet available to fill vehicles. Our refuelling truck provides an interim measure to enable demonstrations of hydrogen vehicles at events, and also for larger customer trials.”

Although the 2016 MPG Marathon is already heavily subscribed, there are a limited number of places still available for vehicle manufacturers, fleet operators, dealer groups or even individuals to take part.

To find out more about the event, or to enter, go to www.thempgmarathon.co.uk