Lynx HySnow Zero Emissions Snowmobile

Ski-Doo parent company BRP announced a new concept vehicle focussed on a zero emissions snowmobile called the Lynx HySnow.

The Lynx HySnow features an electric hydrogen cell powertrain and will be officially introduced at the FIS Ski World Cup 2020 in Hinterstoder, Austria. This moves comes as engine provider Rotax celebrates 100 years of engine production.

“2020 is a very special year for us. We’re not only celebrating 100 years of innovation and leadership in engine development and manufacture, we’re also starting a real hydrogen revolution for the new decade. Using this renewable source of energy means we are ushering in a new age for Rotax, and expanding our potential for the future,” said Wolfgang Rapberger, GM BRP-Rotax / Representative of the Management Board.

The Lynx HySnow concept is based off of the Lynx 69 Ranger Alpine, a snowmobile make for the European market and has had success in Austrian skiing areas for many years. The stock vehicle was completely refitted with an electric powertrain and hydrogen fuel cell. Along with its more sustainable power source, the Lynx HySnow runs almost completely silently and can achieve faster acceleration and offer greater range than pure electric drives.

“We have invested over four and a half years of intensive research and development in this flagship project. The Lynx HySnow is a technological masterpiece and a key milestone for our sustainable powertrain systems. As an integral part of a real hydrogen ecosystem, the example of Hinterstoder also demonstrates how we and our partners are successfully driving forward the decarbonization of winter tourism,” said Nigel Foxhall, Director Advanced Engineering at BRP-Rotax.

According to BRP, Hydrogen works in conjunction with a fuel cell to provide electrical energy. The Lynx HySnow is filled under high pressure, with the hydrogen being stored in its gaseous form. It then comes into contact with oxygen in the fuel cell, releasing electrical energy. This “cold combustion” only produces water, and does not create any pollutants.

“Green hydrogen means that we also generate electricity for the electrolysis needed to produce hydrogen from photovoltaic or other similar systems,” said Dr. Alexander Trattner, CEO and Scientific Director of HyCentA Research GmbH. “And we use sustainably produced hydrogen for the ecosystem in Hinterstoder and the HySnow. We firmly believe that this and other kinds of renewable energy represent the future of mobility. So we are all the happier that we have been able to collaborate with Rotax on this exciting and successful project.”

The Lynx HySnow project was undertaken in cooperation with the Climate and Energy Fund, the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), HyCentA Research GmbH, Fronius Austria, the Graz University of Technology, the Hinterstoder and Wurzeralm ski area, ElringKlinger AG and ECuSol GmbH.