HYVIA Has Revealed The Prototype Version Of Its Renault Master Van - Sale Will Go On Next Year

HYVIA - a joint venture between the Renault Group and turnkey hydrogen company Plug Power - has revealed a prototype version of the Renault Master van that will go on sale next year.

It features a 30kW fuel cell and 33kWh battery, offering 12 cubic metres (12,000 litres) of cargo space and up to 310 miles (499 km) of range. 

In terms of refuelling, the Renault Master van takes no more than five minutes, similar to the combustion-engined vehicles of today.

The van contains four pressurised tanks, and each will hold 6kg of hydrogen. Along with that, HYVIA has also unveiled a prototype refilling station that will be available to purchase, lease or rent.

According to the chief executive officer David Holderbach, HYVIA is all about hydrogen mobility solutions for a tailor-made offer to the customers to meet the challenges of hydrogen mobility.

Further prototypes will be based on the Chassis Cab and Citybus variants of the Master van. The former will deliver 19 cubic metres (19,000 litres) of cargo space and 155 miles of range, while the latter will provide a 186-mile (249 km) range and capacity for up to 15 passengers.

The prototype van was built at Renault’s plant in Batilly. However, the integration of the hydrogen powertrain was done by PVI, a subsidiary of the Renault Group. The Cleon plant produces the motor, and fuel cell assembly will begin at the company’s facility in Flins by the end of 2021.

The hydrogen filling station is designed to showcase what HYVIA calls a "complete hydrogen ecosystem" for production and distribution, with fuel either generated on-site using water electrolysis or supplied in bulk via trailers.

Earlier this week, Volvo provided further details on a collaboration with steel manufacturer Ovako that will use excess hydrogen from the firm’s new, low-carbon production processes to power local fuel cell vehicles.