Renault extends the range of the Elektro-Master with the help of a Fuel cell. Three vehicle variants have been announced.
Renault wants a fuel cell variant of the later this year Transporter model Bring master to the streets. Three versions - one van, a chassis and a Kleinbus - are planned. In addition to a 33 kWh traction battery for a 100-kilometer journey, all of them will have a hydrogen fuel cell on board, which should enable up to 400 additional kilometers. Different H2 tank sizes between 3 and 7 kilograms are planned. The emission-free commercial vehicles are offered by the specially founded joint venture company Hyvia, in which, in addition to Renault, the US fuel cell manufacturer Plug Power has a stake. The target group are primarily commercial customers and municipalities.
At Renault, the fuel cell serves as a range extender for the electric drive. With correspondingly large tanks, it generally enables longer driving distances, and hydrogen tends to be faster than electricity. The competitor Stellantis had previously announced a similar vehicle concept for vans of the brands Peugeot, Citroen and Opel. The group is working with the fuel cell manufacturer Symbio, a joint venture between Michelin and Faurecia. Both companies are likely to have developed their plans against the background that the French government has announced a conversion of the national economy to a hydrogen economy. Germany and other countries are also pursuing similar plans.
