Renault outs hydrogen Master van

RENAULT has revealed its first ready-for-market hydrogen fuel-cell light commercial vehicle. 

The Renault Master Van H2-TECH is slated to enter production next year, its maker claiming fast refuelling times and a zero-emissions driving range of up to 500km. 

Equipped with a 30kW fuel cell, 33kWh battery and four 6kg hydrogen tanks, the 12 square-metre cargo van is It is built by Renault at its Batilly plant in France while the the electric and hydrogen integration handled by PVI, a Renault Group subsidiary based in Gretz-Armainvilliers. 

A truly French affair, the Master Van H2-TECH sources components – including its electric motor, fuel cell module, and hydrogen tanks – from locations throughout France. 

The vehicle was developed in partnership with French partner HYVIA, which, along with energy provider Plug Power, provides the van with what it calls “its own hydrogen ecosystem”, replete with green hydrogen production and distribution.

“HYVIA is about hydrogen mobility solutions for a tailor-made offer to our customers to meet the challenges of hydrogen mobility. HYVIA will be able to deploy its entire ecosystem in all territories and professional fleets for carbon-free mobility,” said HYVIA CEO David Holderbach.

HYVIA’s hydrogen refuelling stations will be available to purchase, lease, or rent, allowing fleet operators to offer their own on-base refuelling stations. Refuelling times are comparable to those of ICE-powered vehicles at around five minutes. 

The hydrogen fuel can be generated on-site using water electrolysis or supplied in bulk by HYVIA.

Renault is also working on a larger 19-cubic metre version of its hydrogen fuel-cell Master, with a range of 250km, as well as a 15-seat minibus variant with a 300km range.

The hydrogen-electric powertrain replaces the Master’s standard turbo-diesel engine and draws fuel from cylindrical tanks located in the van’s roof. The van may be refuelled with hydrogen, or its battery recharged separately via a standard EV plug, effectively making it a plug-in hybrid.. 

Renault’s Master Van H2-TECH is the second hydrogen fuel-cell light commercial offering to come from France this year. Stellantis unveiled its trio of shared-platform hydrogen-powered LCVs in May. 

The Citroen e-Jumpy hydrogen, Opel Vivaro e-Hydrogen, and Peugeot e-Expert Hydrogen combine a fuel-cell with a 10.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 100kW/260Nm electric motor. The vans offer a claimed emissions-free driving range of up to 400km.

In Australia, the only hydrogen-powered vehicles currently available are those leased to government and private fleets for assessment purposes. Hyundai and Toyota are each trialling small passenger vehicles with the intention of eventually offering FCEVs to the public.

Hydrogen refuelling stations are currently open in Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney. Every state in Australia now has a hydrogen fuelling strategy, with Queensland even boasting its own state government hydrogen minister.

Globally, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota have FCEV models available for purchase.

Renault will commence production of its Master Van H2-TECH later this year. The model will be available for sale in Europe from early 2022.