The startup craze seems to have largely petered out, but that hasn’t stop some companies from giving it a go. The latest is Revo Zero, which has introduced their aptly named Energy. Looking like a crossover-infused minivan, the Energy features a rounded front fascia with a pronounced grille and a sizable light bar. They’re joined by faux intakes and a protruding skid plate. While the front end is rather generic, the model is notable for having four sliding doors. The rear doors open like a traditional minivan, while the front doors slide out and forward. Putting the doors aside, the Energy has a panoramic glass roof and pronounced wheel arches. They’re joined by a rear light bar and a skid plate that echoes the one found up front.
Revo Zero said virtually nothing about the
interior, but it features individual seats in all three-rows. They’re joined by
a flat-bottom steering wheel and an L-shaped display that consists of a digital
instrument cluster, a dedicated audio screen, and an infotainment system with a
portrait orientation. We can also see wood and carbon fiber trim as well as
what appears to be a small display for second-row passengers. The company also
mentioned “feedback lighting,” but didn’t elaborate.
Speaking of vague, Revo Zero says the
model will have a “plug-in fuel cell” powertrain that combines a hydrogen fuel
cell with an electric vehicle battery. The company says this “combination
merges the benefits of both technologies and negates their drawbacks.” Specifics
are lacking, but Revo Zero claimed the “electric battery serves as the primary
power source and is utilized until the hydrogen battery takes over.” That’s an
odd way to put it, but it sounds like the vehicle will travel on battery power
for awhile, before the hydrogen fuel cell activates to work as an “onboard
on-demand charger.” In effect, it sounds like a range-extended vehicle that
uses hydrogen instead of gasoline.
Regardless, the company is promising an
overall range of 1,127 km. They also said you can recharge the
battery at home, while refueling the hydrogen tank will only take around seven
minutes. The lack of details isn’t very encouraging, but the model is currently
available for pre-order with a US$ 500 refundable deposit. That being said, you
might want to hold off as Revo Zero has no idea when production will occur as
the “final date is still to be determined.” The firm added they are “working
diligently on testing and complying with all safety regulations.”
