At the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich, the German Aerospace Center—known in Germany as the Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)—showed how it says climate protection and road mobility can go hand-in-hand by spotlighting two futuristic prototype vehicles.

“Mobility is, and is set to remain, an integral part of our global world,” said Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chair of the DLR Executive Board. “We want to continue to be mobile in the future—but even safer and more comfortable, while avoiding emissions and saving resources. As one of the largest transport research institutions in Europe, DLR is actively shaping this transformation process by keeping people’s wishes in mind and looking at both the energy and transport systems.

With partners from science and industry, DLR is developing solutions several solutions, one that caught our eye being the Safe Light Regional Vehicle (SLRV). The sporty alternative-drive concept is said to be extremely light yet very safe thanks to a metallic sandwich structure that weighs only about 90 kg (198 lb).

The material comprises a metal top layer and a plastic foam interior. The front and rear sections of the concept are made of sandwich panels and serve as crumple zones. These sections also house much of the vehicle technology. The passenger space consists of a shell topped with a ring structure that absorbs normal driving forces and protects occupants during a collision.

The lightweight concept powered by a highly efficient fuel-cell and battery propulsion system is intended for commuters, with a range of about 400 km (249 mi) and a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).

The DLR Institute of Vehicle Concepts originally debuted the SLRV in October 2020.

“As a new mobility solution in the light vehicle class, the SLRV demonstrates that we can combine vehicle technology, usage conditions, and cost-effectiveness,” said Tjark Siefkes, Deputy Director of the DLR Institute of Vehicle Concepts, at the time. “It lays the groundwork and provides a technology platform for local zero-emission mobility that is quiet and available for personal use.”

The body of the two-seat SLRV is 3.8 m (12.5 ft) long and low-lying to ensure minimal aerodynamic resistance. DLR says that its combination of lightweight and safe operation is one that existing vehicles in the L7e light vehicle class often struggle to achieve.

While structures using sandwich materials have not yet been used for cars in series production, DLR is now working on the next step—optimizing the associated manufacturing technologies.

The SLRV’s hybrid propulsion system is engineered to be as efficient as possible. DLR researchers connected a small fuel cell with a continuous output of 8.5 kW to a battery pack that provides an additional 25 kW of power for acceleration. The combination weighs less than conventional battery system for electric car’s with the SLRV’s range and performance.

A 39-L (10.3-gal) pressure tank sits inside the vehicle between the two seats. It can store 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) of hydrogen at 700 bar (102 ksi).

The SLRV uses waste heat from the fuel cell to heat its interior. The good thermal insulation of the bodywork, resulting from the use of the sandwich structures, reduces the energy consumption of the vehicle’s heating system in winter.

The futuristic 450-kg (990-lb) two-seater is suitable for commuting; as a shuttle service for taking people to local public transport hubs; and for car-sharing, especially in peripheral urban areas or outside towns and cities thanks to a rapid hydrogen-refueling system. It could supplement local public transport in suburban or rural areas—or serve as an environmentally friendly second car.

The SLRV team currently estimates that the vehicle’s purchase price would be about €15,000. With a maximum service life goal of 300,000 km (186,000 mi) and 10 years, this equates to a price of roughly 10 cents per kilometer.

Moving forward, 20 DLR institutes are working together to develop technology for the next generation of road vehicles as part of the Next Generation Car (NGC) project. In addition to the SLRV, there are two other vehicle concepts that are targeted for solutions for the megatrend of urbanization. The Urban Modular Vehicle is a modular city car for private and commercial users, while the Inter Urban Vehicle is designed for longer distances between metropolitan areas.