UK-Based Viritech's 1,100-HP Hydrogen-Powered Hypercar

Electrifying Hypercar

The performance advantages presented by electric cars are quite obvious by now, with automakers like Tesla churning out sedans capable of out-accelerating even the quickest and most expensive ICE-powered exotics on the planet. But now, a new, incredibly powerful hydrogen fuel cell-powered machine from UK-based Viritech has entered the chat, and it's called the Apricale.

Photos: Viritech

Technology Testbed

The advantage of going with a fuel cell rather than straight battery-electric power is that the Apricale weighs roughly half as much as its BEV competitors, according to Viritech. It's also a legitimate testbed for the company's future hydrogen-powered offerings, including aircraft, boats, off-grid power storage, and heavy machinery.

Photos: Viritech

>>Join the conversation about the Apricale right here in the Electric Vehicles Forums!

Several Advantages

Viritech likes to also tout hydrogen's advantages over battery-electric power aside from weight, including the fact that it can be stored long-term and isn't as limited in terms of range. Hydrogen is also a clean energy source, unlike its ICE-powered counterparts.

Photos: Viritech

>>Join the conversation about the Apricale right here in the Electric Vehicles Forums!

Overcoming Challenges

The Apricale's power source required quite a bit of engineering to make work, however. Viritech notes that hydrogen fuel tanks have traditionally been attached to a vehicle's chassis, rather than incorporated as an integral component, and hydrogen is stored in gas form at extremely high pressures, which requires beefy and heavy tanks to hold.

Photos: Viritech

>>Join the conversation about the Apricale right here in the Electric Vehicles Forums!

New Design

Thus, Viritech came up with a new, patented graphene composite pressure tank design that's capable of being used as a structural component of the monocoque chassis underneath the Apricale, or any other vehicle, machine, aircraft, ship, or structure. Its delivery is also controlled by the company's proprietary Vehicle Control System technology.

Photos: Viritech

>>Join the conversation about the Apricale right here in the Electric Vehicles Forums!

Licensed Tech

Viritech also plans to license its control system to other manufacturers, which will enable the integration of modern, hydrogen powertrain solutions in vehicles, machinery, aircraft, boats/ships, and off-grid energy storage and electricity generation plants. 

Photos: Viritech

>>Join the conversation about the Apricale right here in the Electric Vehicles Forums!

Coming Soon(ish)

As for the Apricale, Viritech isn't providing much additional information as of now. It did say that production will be very limited, with just 25 units planned. The car is still undergoing testing but is expected to enter production at the beginning of 2023, and you can bet we'll be keeping a close eye on how this exciting new hypercar progresses in the coming months.

Photos: Viritech

>>Join the conversation about the Apricale right here in the Electric Vehicles Forums!