Vauxhall launches Vivaro-e hydrogen, plug-in fuel cell electric vehicle
Mon 17 May 2021
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Vauxhall has launched a new 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 vehicle has a 45kW fuel cell with three 700bar hydrogen tanks (which can be filled in three minutes) and uses a similar front-mounted 134bhp electric motor as the Vivaro-e BEV.
A 10.5kW lithium ion battery is also installed, giving a range of 31 miles.
Vauxhall is speaking to business customers in the UK about hydrogen fuel cell and expects right-hand drive vehicles to arrive in 2023. Its 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.
The Vivaro-e Hydrogen's 45kW fuel cell is 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 - for example, at start-up and under acceleration. Since the battery covers power needs in such situations, the fuel cell can run at optimum operating conditions. The battery also enables regenerative braking, while the plug-in capability offers the opportunity to recharge the battery externally if necessary, e.g. at a charging station, providing 31 miles of pure battery electric range.
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