Vauxhall has unveiled the new zero emissions Vivaro-e Hydrogen light commercial vehicle.
The van has a range of up to 249 miles, refuels in just three minutes and can carry a cargo volume up to 6.1m3, the same as the diesel or battery electric versions.
The Vivaro-e Hydrogen incorporates a 45kW fuel cell capable of generating enough power for continuous motorway driving, while the 10.5kWh lithium-ion battery, located under the front seats, provides dynamic peak power when required.
The battery also enables regenerative braking, while the plug-in capability offers the opportunity to recharge the battery externally if necessary, such as at a charging station, providing 31 miles of pure battery electric range.
The new fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is based on the existing battery electric Vivaro-e with two sliding side-doors. The plug-in fuel cell concept of the Vivaro-e Hydrogen enables the integration of the whole fuel cell system with the existing traction motor under the bonnet of the production vehicle. In fact, the battery of the Vivaro-e BEV is replaced by three 700-bar hydrogen tanks.
Paul Willcox, Managing Director, Vauxhall has explained that the company was looking to expand its line up beyond battery electric vehicles.
“Vauxhall is already leading the way with an all-electric van range, and now we are set to add hydrogen to the line-up as an efficient energy system of the future,” he said. “Vauxhall-Opel has more than 20 years of experience in developing hydrogen fuel technology which offers zero emissions-in-use, a long driving range and ultra-fast refuelling.”
Vauxhall is actively speaking to business customers in the UK about hydrogen fuel cell and expects right-hand drive vehicles to arrive in 2023. Sister brand Opel plans to start delivering the first left-hand drive vehicles to fleet customers in autumn/winter 2021.
The Vivaro-e Hydrogen will be assembled at Vauxhall/Opel’s Research and Development Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany.