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EV, Hydrogen Vehicles

Renault’s HYVIA Unveils New Renault Master Van H2-TECH: A Leap into Hydrogen-Powered Mobility

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During the European Hydrogen Week, HYVIA, a venture of Renault Group, showcased its innovative approach to sustainable transportation at the SOLUTRANS motor show. The highlight was the new architecture of the Renault Master Van H2-TECH, a hydrogen-powered vehicle designed to meet the growing demands of professional users and contribute to a greener future.

Innovating for a Greener Future

HYVIA’s latest offering includes three new versions of the Renault Master Van H2-TECH: L2H2, L3H2, and L3H3, each tailored to different professional needs. The L3H2 version, already fitted out as a workshop vehicle, and the L3H3+ version for after-sales operations were showcased at the event. These models exemplify HYVIA’s commitment to providing versatile, eco-friendly transportation solutions for various commercial uses.

Innovating for a Greener Future
Innovating for a Greener Future

Advanced Features for Enhanced Performance

The new H2-TECH vans boast impressive features like zero emissions, a refuelling time of fewer than five minutes, and a range of up to 320 km in cold weather conditions. They also offer increased payload capacities and various conversion options, such as for emergency urban interventions or refrigerated vehicles. The integration of under-body hydrogen storage and a fuel cell in the engine compartment ensures a seamless design without compromising on load volume or payload capacities​.

A Step Towards Hydrogen-Powered Logistics

The L3H3+ version, which has been on the road since early 2023, is particularly suited for intensive logistics operations. This model provides a zero-emission solution with 405 km of autonomy, a payload of one tonne, and partners like CHRONOPOST and ENGIE among its initial users​.

A Future-Ready Approach

Looking ahead, HYVIA is developing a new generation of hydrogen-powered vans to be launched in 2025. This future line, based on the New Renault Master, will be produced at Renault’s Batilly plant in France and incorporate advanced hydrogen technology from the HYVIA site in Flint.

Supporting a Hydrogen Ecosystem

HYVIA isn’t just about vehicles; it’s about creating a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem. This includes HYWELL™ refuelling stations in partnership with Atawey, financing solutions tailored to customer needs, and strategic after-sales services through the Renault Pro+ network. These initiatives demonstrate HYVIA’s holistic approach to fostering hydrogen mobility​.

HYVIA’s unveiling of the new Renault Master Van H2-TECH marks a significant step towards sustainable commercial transport. With innovative designs, advanced features, and a comprehensive support system, HYVIA is paving the way for a greener, more efficient future in mobility. This exciting development reaffirms Renault’s commitment to decarbonizing road transport and its leadership in the hydrogen mobility sector.

Cars, Electric Car, Electric Vehicles, Gadget Man, Matt Porter, Motorsports, News, Sports, Technology, The Gadget Man

Pininfarina H2 Speed Hydrogen Concept at Adastral Park

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We are very lucky to share our premises with numerous high tech companies here at Adastral Park.

Pininfarina H2 Speed Hydrogen Concept
Pininfarina H2 Speed Hydrogen Concept – pictured at Adastral Park, UK.

A few weeks back it was the turn of Tech Mahindra to wow us in the form of the Pininfarina H2 Speed hydrogen concept car which was touring the country.

Marco Pintor - Sales Executive, Pininfarina S.p.A.
Marco Pintor – Sales Executive, Pininfarina S.p.A.

We were very pleased to spend some time chatting to the guys at both Pininfarina and Tech Mahindra on the day and gained some very interesting insights into this marketplace.

I spoke to Marco Pintor, Sales Executive at Pininfarina at length about the H2 Speed and how the challenge of powering a high performance vehicle with hydrogen, but retaining the traditional designs cues we have become accustomed to.

Sports car designers are faced with similar challenges when designing vehicles, they must be aerodynamic, light, appealing to the eye and evoke the ideals behind the vehicle. Thus, the H2 Speed’s body is constructed from carbon-fibre.

Pininfarina
The timeless Pininfarina badge
Pininfarina H2 Speed
Pininfarina H2 Speed

Propulsion is provided by the GreenGT Full Power Hydrogen powering 2 synchronous electric motors giving the equivalent of 500 horsepower. Energy is provided from 2 stacks of PEMFC Fuel Cells with a combined 210kW of energy.

Pininfarina H2 Speed
Pininfarina H2 Speed

Power is applied directly to the rear wheels at a ratio of 1:6.3, as we many other alternative fuel cars, there is no clutch, differential of gear changing necessary, just immediate maximum torque, traction is controlled by torque vectoring.

Fuel is stored in two side mounted Hydrogen storage tanks either side of the cockpit with a combined tank capacity of 6.1 kg, with a pressue of 700 bars. Refuelling times are estimated at around 3 mins. Further energy is recovered from the braking system at 400V and a capacity of 20Ah.

Pininfarina H2 SpeedEmissions are simply air and water from the exhaust system, there is ZERO pollution from the vehicle.

So, how does this stack up in peformance? Pretty well it would seem! Th H2 is capable of a 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds,  a standing quarter mile in 11 seconds and a top speed of around 186 mph.

Sergio Farina with the Testarossa
Sergio Farina with the Testarossa

Pininfarina have been styling automobiles for over 86 years, for manufactures such as Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati, Peugeot and of course Ferrari with the benchmarks of design of the Testarossa and Dino.

Now they find themselves in the 21st Century producing leading edge design and technology for a new breed or race cars. The future is looking very bright for both Pininfarina and their owner Tech Mahindra.

Currently, the H2 Speed is priced at around $2 million dollars and aimed at a very particular marketplace. We should however look forward to this amazing technology finding it’s way to our vehicles in the near future.

Matt Porter
The Gadget Man