Vivaro-e Hydrogen to join Vauxhall's electric line

Vauxhall has announced the Vivaro-e Hydrogen, an electric van with a range of 249 miles and a refuelling time of around three minutes.

Based on the Vivaro-e electric van, the hydrogen model will have a fuel cell in the engine bay, with three 700-bar gas tanks replacing the battery packs of the standard electric van beneath the load fl oor.

The 45kW fuel cell will work with a smaller 10.5kWh battery, located under the front seats, providing peak power when required. This battery will be powered by regenerative braking and can be plugged in, to provide up to 31 miles of pure EV travel. The fuel cell and battery will not have any impact on the load area of the vans. Available in both the standard and long wheelbase bodies, the vans will retain their 5.3m3 and 6.1m3 load volumes respectively.

The vans will be available in left-hand drive by the end of this year. Right-hand drive models are expected early in 2023.

“Vauxhall is already leading the way with an all-electric van range and now we are set to add hydrogen to the line-up as an effi cient energy system of the future,” said managing director Paul Willcox.

“We are already in contact with UK fl eet operators that want to go the extra mile on sustainability and we look forward to bringing the Vivaro-e Hydrogen to the UK soon.”

Mahle Powertrain moves into hydrogen

Mahle Powertrain has assisted Bramble Energy with the creation of a delivery vehicle demonstrator, to show off its Printed Circuit Board Fuel Cell (PCBFC) technology. The Renault Kangoo Z.E. electric van, to be unveiled later this year, will use a high power density liquid-cooled fuel cell.

“We’re excited to be working with Mahle Powertrain on this integration project and to be so close to showcasing the benefi ts of our PCBFC technology in a liquid-cooled application,” said Dr Tom Mason, Bramble’s CEO.

“Delivery of this project will be a milestone moment for both Bramble Energy and net-zero CV powertrains and we cannot wait to demonstrate the tangible performance and cost benefi ts to the CV industry.”

LONG TERM TEST

Citroën e-Dispatch Training to transition

So much of the discussion around our Citroën e-Dispatch is about range. Can it really do 205 miles on a single charge? I’ve never actually needed to. I do know that a heavy right foot on a dual carriageway will see the available range dropping far faster than it will in a diesel van. Yet, I have also seen that potential range fi gure rise, following stop/start travel through the centre of town.

In a recent bit of research for an article, I also discovered just how vital driver training will be, as fl eets transition from diesel to electric. But are there any EV-specific van or truck training outlets available yet? Do let me know if you offer such a service.

This concentration on the EV bits of the van often overshadows just how good the actual Dispatch is, regardless of drivetrain. A recent bit of fence replacement meant purchasing some 3m long posts. Much to the amazement of the builders’ merchant, opening the Moduwork hatch in the bulkhead and lifting the left-hand passenger seat allowed the posts to fi t easily through into the footwell. Brilliant!