New Opel And Vauxhall Vivaro-e Gets Hydrogen Powertrain With 249-Mile Range

Opel and sister brand Vauxhall have embraced the fuel cell technology for their new Vivaro-e. The light commercial vehicle (LCV) will be available in left-hand drive markets in mainland Europe at the end of the year, before launching in right-hand drive markets such as the U.K. in early 2023.

Available in standard (4.95 m / 195 in) and long (5.30 m / 208.7 in) wheelbase versions, it offers the same cargo volume as the diesel and battery electric models of up to 6.1 cubic meters (215.4 cu-ft) and a 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) payload. The 700-bar hydrogen tanks, which have replaced the battery of the EV model, can be filled in three minutes, for a total driving range of 400 km (249 miles).

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The 45 kW fuel cell is said to generate “enough power for continuous motorway driving”, and it is assisted by a 10.5 kWh lithium-ion battery positioned under the front seats. This increases the peak power at start-up and under acceleration, and enables regenerative braking. Furthermore, the battery can be recharged at public or private stations, and once it is all juiced up, it will enable an all-electric range of 50 km (31 miles).

“Hydrogen could be the central element of an integrated and efficient energy system of the future, free of fossil fuels”, said Michael Lohscheller, Opel’s CEO. “We have more than 20 years of experience in hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology. There is hardly another propulsion system in the world that offers the combination of zero emissions, long driving range and only three minutes refueling time.”