Renault’s specialist sub-brand HYVIA has unveiled two new hydrogen fuel cell LCVs to join its prototype Renault Master Van H2-TECH debuted last month.

The first, revealed at Solutrans held at Eurexpo Lyon, France, is the Master Chassis Cab H2-TECH, while the second is the Master City Bus H2-TECH, presented for the first time at the Salon des Maires in Paris. The first claims 155 miles of range, it is equipped with a 30kW fuel cell, 33kWh battery and two tanks containing 6.6lbs of hydrogen (divided between two 3.3lbs tanks) at 700 bars.

This vehicle offers a range of tailor-made conversion including the use as a box van with 62 cubic feet of cargo space volume. The first conversion to be released, the box van is perfectly adapted to carry goods and packages up to 2,200lbs in payload. It will be available in 2022.

The Renault Master City Bus H2-TECH also uses a 30kW fuel cell and 33kWh battery, the City Bus comes with a tank capacity of 9.9lbs of hydrogen at 350 bars. This claims a range of around 186 miles while carrying up to 15 passengers, with room for nine sitting and six standing. It is also capable of being wheelchair accessible to enhance its versatility and options for use.

HYVIA says it will deploy its full hydrogen ecosystem of hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles, as well as its refueling stations, in 2022. The Renault Master is produced at the Batilly plant, while the electric and hydrogen integration is completed by PVI, a Renault Group subsidiary based in Gretz-Armainvilliers. The electric motor is produced at Renault’s Cleon plant, while the fuel cell assembly and Hydrogen Refueling Station will begin at the Flins plant, with more to coming in future.

David Holserbach, HYVIA CEO said: “HYVIA is moving fast. After less than six months of existence, we unveiled three Hydrogen Light Commercial Vehicles: a Van, a Chassis Cab and a City Bus. To meet different usages, for professional fleets or territories. We also revealed our Hydrogen Refueling Station, to offer customer refueling options where hydrogen infrastructure is still in development. HYVIA is about concrete solutions to be on track to meet the challenges of green hydrogen mobility and decarbonization of transport.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_

by Paul Myles

Source: https://www.tu-auto.com