Vauxhall Vivaro-e Hydrogen van arrives with 249-mile range
New FCEV variant of van is due in UK in 2023 with three-minute refuelling and 1100kg payload
The Vauxhall Vivaro van has gained a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) variant with up to 249 miles of range and the same load capacity as equivalent combustion and battery-electric models.
The new addition to Vauxhall's commercial line-up will be sold in left-hand-drive markets by German sister brand Opel from the end of 2021 and is set to make its UK debut in 2023.
The Vivaro-e Hydrogen mates a 45kW fuel cell with three 700bar hydrogen tanks (which can be filled in just three minutes) and uses the same front-mounted 134bhp electric motor as the Vivaro-e BEV.
A 10.5kW lithium ion battery, capable of charging using regenerative braking, is also installed, offering 31 miles' worth of propulsion.
“We're set to add hydrogen to the line-up as an efficient energy system of the future,” said Vauxhall managing director Paul Willcox. “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.
“We're already in contact with UK fleet operators that want to go the extra mile on sustainability, and we look forward to bringing Vivaro-e Hydrogen to the UK soon."
The Vivaro-e Hydrogen will retain the same body size as existing Vivaro variants, with the choice of standard 4.95m or long 5.30m wheelbase, while payload capacity increases to 1100kg. Cargo volume remains the same, at up to 6.1m3.
The Vivaro-e Hydrogen will be produced at Vauxhall-Opel’s research-and-development Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany.
It will be the brands' first commercially available hydrogen powertrain. Ex-parent company General Motors' experimental Hydro Gen 4 system was brought to the UK for demonstration purposes a decade ago but never found its way into a production car.
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