Skip advert
Advertisement

Vauxhall trials hydrogen-powered vans in the UK as new EV alternative

The hydrogen-powered Vivaro can travel around 250 miles on a tankful and has a 1,000kg maximum payload

Vauxhall is trialling a hydrogen fuel-cell (FCEV) version of its Vivaro van in the UK ahead of the launch of the larger Movano Hydrogen later this year.

Based on the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, the Vivaro Hydrogen is already sold in Europe for just over 71,000 Euros (£59,200) and is fitted with a 45kW fuel cell and a 10.9kWh battery pack, which are located under the front seats. These return a WLTP range of 249 miles, which is almost 50 miles more than the Vivaro Electric when equipped with a 75kWh battery.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Vauxhall says the Vivaro Hydrogen can travel up to 31 miles on electricity alone without drawing any power from the fuel cell, while clever packaging means it has the same load area of 6.1 cubic metres and a maximum payload of 1,000kg.

However, unlike in the EV variant, making use of this maximum payload shouldn’t impact the Vivaro Hydrogen’s range too much. Plus, Vauxhall says refuelling the 5kg hydrogen fuel tanks should only take around five minutes, about the same time it takes to fill up a diesel van.

Yet, there remains the problem of infrastructure; while the EU is heavily invested in FCEV technology – new laws require there to be a refuelling station every 200km on major roads – reception has thus far been somewhat apathetic in the UK. In fact, at the time of writing, there are only 16 hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK.

With the 311-mile-range Movano Hydrogen going on sale towards the end of 2024, Vauxhall is teaming up with British firm Ryze Hydrogen in order to make choosing an FCEV a more attractive proposition. As part of this partnership, Ryze and Vauxhall are planning to provide refuelling solutions on-site and at “convenient locations” for fleet customers.

This news comes soon after BMW announced its FCEV partnership with Toyota, with both automotive giants planning to share Toyota’s upcoming third-generation hydrogen fuel-cell technology. Hyundai has also thrown its hat into the hydrogen ring recently, announcing its own collaboration with Skoda.

Would you ever own a hydrogen car? Let us know in the comments section below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Consumer reporter

Tom is Auto Express' Consumer reporter, meaning he spends his time investigating the stories that matter to all motorists - enthusiasts or otherwise. An ex-BBC journalist and Multimedia Journalism graduate, Tom previously wrote for partner sites Carbuyer and DrivingElectric and you may also spot him throwing away his dignity by filming videos for the Auto Express social media channels.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Kia UK boss calls for clear ZEV roadmap, plus “modest” consumer incentives
Kia's UK boss, Paul Philpott standing next to a Kia EV6

Kia UK boss calls for clear ZEV roadmap, plus “modest” consumer incentives

Brand CEO says ZEV mandate is a threat, asking for clarity from the Labour government
News
6 Jan 2025
Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants
Finance contract, car key and calculator on desk

Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants

Scandal involving car finance commission could see motorists entitled to billions of pounds in payouts
News
19 Dec 2024
Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns
Emissions tests questioned

Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns

The DfT is currently investigating as many as 47 models across several brands that are suspected to use diesel defeat devices
News
14 Nov 2024
MoT failure rate is worse for vans than cars
MOT

MoT failure rate is worse for vans than cars

More than a third of light commercials failed their first MoT last year, new figures show
News
12 Nov 2024

Most Popular

Car brands with the most recalls: BMW tops the UK recall chart in 2024
BMW 530e - front cornering

Car brands with the most recalls: BMW tops the UK recall chart in 2024

Did you receive a letter alerting you to a potentially dangerous car fault? Here are the car brands that sent the most out
News
17 Jan 2025
Lexus planning a thrilling new range of ultra high-performance models
Lexus LBX Morizo RR - dynamic front 3/4

Lexus planning a thrilling new range of ultra high-performance models

The long-lived RC F will be axed this year, but Lexus is set to unleash a new wave of exciting new performance-focused cars
News
17 Jan 2025
EV discounts: are they a short-term solution with long-term problems?
Vauxhall Corsa Electric front corner driving

EV discounts: are they a short-term solution with long-term problems?

Optimistic residual value projections for EVs have left vehicle leasing firms “millions and millions” out of pocket
News
18 Jan 2025