Renault Group announced the HYVIA venture which will offer a range of light commercial vehicles with hydrogen fuel cell technology by the end of 2021 throughout Europe. The French-based company will also focus on sustainable hydrogen production, storage, and distribution while assembling hydrogen refueling stations in Flins, France, offering them for rent or purchase.
HYVIA will benefit from the expertise of US-based Plug Power which already operates a network of more than 100 refueling stations dispensing over 40 tons of hydrogen per day. The venture’s name is a combination of HY for hydrogen and VIA for road. The first three hydrogen fuel-cell light commercial vehicles that will be offered in the European market before the end of 2021 will be based on the Renault Master.
All three LCVs will be fitted with a 33 kWh battery, a 30 kW fuel cell, and hydrogen tanks with a capacity of 3-7 kg depending on the specification. This “Dual Power architecture” will allow a range of up to 100 km from the battery alone and a combined range of up to 500 km from both hydrogen and battery power.
More specifically, the Master Van H2-TECH is a van with 12m3 of cargo volume and a range of up to 500 km. The larger Master Chassis Cab H2-TECH is a freight van with 19m3 of cargo volume and up to 250 km of range. Last but not least, the Master Citibus H2-TECH is a passenger van with room for 15 people and up to 300 kmof range.
HYVIA will offer a range of options for financing and maintenance, available through Renault’s dealership network. The Master will be produced in Renault’s Batiilly factory while the fuel cells and hydrogen refueling stations will be assembled in Flins.
