Vauxhall has announced that it will build and sell a hydrogen powered version of its Vivaro-e electric van. And before you think that’s just, er, hy in the sky, the new Vivaro-e Hydrogen has now made its UK debut at the 2021 CV Show. Sort of.
In reality, Vauxhall has brought a cutaway technical demonstrator to the show, rather than a whole van.
But, the European version from Vauxhall’s sister-brand Opel is set to start reaching customers before the end of 2021, alongside Citroen and Peugeot models that use the same technology.
UK buyers will have to wait until at least 2023, which is when right-hand drive production of the Vivaro-e Hydrogen is set to start.
This will, at least, give the currently tiny UK hydrogen filling station network some time to expand (though don’t expect your local forecourt to start stocking the gas any time soon).
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Wait. A hydrogen-powered Vauxhall van that’s actually going on sale?
Well, 2023 is still a long way off, so don’t get too carried away – Vauxhall is presently speaking to major fleets about the viability of hydrogen vans in the UK, though.
And, as we’ve already covered, Vauxhall’s parent company Stellantis is planning to have hydrogen-powered Opel, Peugeot and Citroen vans on sale in 2021 in European markets – particularly France and Germany, where a big push is being made in an effort to prove hydrogen is a viable alternative to diesel and petrol, with its ability to cover greater distances between top-ups than pure electric power.
>> Read more about the best electric vans on Parkers
But why?
While the Vivaro-e Hydrogen’s claimed driving range of 249 miles isn’t much more than you are supposed to be able to get out of a Vivaro-e electric van with the larger 75kWh battery pack option, you can refill the hydrogen tank in just three minutes.
Charging the conventional – seems strange to say that about an electric van, but even so – battery electric model to just 80% requires at least 40 minutes.
If the hydrogen network can ever get its act together, the convenience here is king.
How does the Vauxhall Vivaro-e Hydrogen van work?
In an effort to control costs and make running out of hydrogen less scary, it’s a rather unconventional plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
Where you’d usually find the battery pack in the 100% electric Vivaro-e there is now a trio of hydrogen tanks, storing the gas at 700 bar. These power a compact hydrogen fuel cell under the bonnet, which uses a chemical process that turns the H into electricity – emitting only water in the process.
Keeping the fuel cell relatively small means lower costs (it’s an expensive technology) but also results in a power output of just 45kW, equivalent to 61hp. Which is where the plug-in hybrid part comes in.
Under the seats in the Vivaro-e Hydrogen’s cab sits a small, 10.5kWh lithium ion battery, borrowed from the Stellantis passenger car PHEV range. This can drive the van all by itself for up to 31 miles (claimed), should you find yourself out of gas between filling stations, but also functions as a performance booster.
This is handy for hills and starting from cold, something fuel cells are not traditionally keen to do.
You can find out more about plug-in hybrid technology on our explainer page.
How much is this going to cost?
Vauxhall isn’t saying just yet – and for UK buyers looking for a right-hand drive model it would be meaningless at this stage anyway, as the things aren’t expected to go on sale here until 2023.
We do know that Opel is planning to market standard and long-wheelbase models in Europe, but Stellantis is still remaining tight-lipped about how much any of this is going to cost.
We’ll update this with more info soon, and will bring you driving impressions of this exciting new technology as soon as we’re able.
Also read:
>> A-Z of the 2021 Commercial Vehicle Show
>> Stellantis announces plans for hydrogen vans from Citroen, Opel and Peugeot
>> Vauxhall Vivaro-e electric van review
>> The best electric vans in the UK
