Hydrogen refuelling gets green light
BMW subsidiary Designworks and Shell have collaborated in the development of a hydrogen dispenser that they claim will improve the refuelling experience.
Released this week, the new dispenser design will, they say, create a seamless experience for hydrogen drivers on the forecourt and help to encourage the adoption of hydrogen as a transport fuel of the future.
Hydrogen dispenser models currently on the market are based on those designed for conventional fuels. To inspire a world of clean energy, Designworks created Oasis, a dispenser concept that introduces a new product typology with a pillar-like design.
When approaching the dispenser, the user will experience a light guidance system, a generous information screen and an innovative nozzle for refuelling. The light concept helps guide the overall flow of cars on the forecourt by providing precise and clearly visible information about the dispenser´s occupancy and the remaining fuelling time. A concise graphical communication concept was developed for the interaction screen on the front of the dispenser, to provide clear and easily accessible information. It allows users to keep track of their refuelling time and price, request maps to check route details or dive deeper into the world of hydrogen.
For the refuelling nozzle, the design team created a new pick up and mount mechanism, which provides a highly intuitive way of removing and returning the nozzle. To make the refuelling experience even more comfortable, a screen was integrated directly into the nozzle guiding the user through the refuelling process step by step. Beyond offering an innovative refuelling experience, the new dispenser concept, with its clean design language and easy to use functionality, makes a clear statement about the future of hydrogen.
Oliver Bishop, hydrogen general manager at Shell, said, ‘We are pleased to have collaborated with Designworks in the development of a new hydrogen dispenser that will allow us to provide customers an improved hydrogen experience. It will not only make refuelling seamless, it will also help make hydrogen fuel an even more attractive option in the future.’
