Particulars of Renault’s Scénic Imaginative and prescient idea automobile have been introduced to the general public on Might 19, 2022. The agency’s thought of growing a passenger car that makes use of hydrogen know-how is just not distinctive.
Benjamin Girette | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs
Renault has launched particulars of an electric-hydrogen hybrid idea automobile, with the French automaker describing hydrogen know-how as being “one of many choices to make electrical automobiles extra handy.”
The design for Renault’s Scenic Imaginative and prescient incorporates a hydrogen engine, electrical motor, battery, gasoline cell and a hydrogen tank. The two.5 kilogram tank is situated on the car’s entrance and, Renault stated, would take round 5 minutes to fill.
In response to a doc printed on Thursday that outlined the idea, the Scenic Imaginative and prescient’s 40 kilowatt hour battery is recyclable and might be produced at a facility in France by 2024.
In a press release, Gilles Vidal, who’s director of design at Renault, stated the idea “prefigures the outside design of the brand new Scénic 100% electrical mannequin for 2024.” The corporate stated the electric-hydrogen powertrain was “a part of a longer-term imaginative and prescient, past 2030.”
The broad thought is that the Scenic Imaginative and prescient’s hydrogen gasoline cell would assist prolong the car’s vary throughout longer journeys. “In 2030 and past, as soon as the community of hydrogen stations is massive sufficient, it is possible for you to to drive as much as 800 km [a little over 497 miles] … with out stopping to cost the battery,” Renault stated.
Described by the Worldwide Power Company as a “versatile power service,” hydrogen has a various vary of purposes and could be deployed in a variety of industries.
It may be produced in quite a lot of methods. One methodology contains utilizing electrolysis, with an electrical present splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen.
If the electrical energy used on this course of comes from a renewable supply similar to wind or photo voltaic then some name it inexperienced or renewable hydrogen.
It is envisaged that Renault’s hybrid would use inexperienced hydrogen, though the overwhelming majority of hydrogen era is at present primarily based on fossil fuels.
Renault’s electric-hydrogen idea illustrates how automobile corporations want to discover methods to develop low and nil emission choices that may compete with the vary of gasoline and diesel automobiles.
“A number of techniques to enrich electrical motors are being explored in the present day to deal with the necessities related to long-distance driving,” Renault stated. “Hydrogen know-how is among the choices to make electrical automobiles extra handy.”
Within the discipline of hydrogen mobility, the Renault Group has already arrange a three way partnership with Plug Energy known as Hyvia. Amongst different issues, it’s targeted on hydrogen gasoline cells in mild business automobiles and the rollout of hydrogen charging amenities.
Renault’s thought of growing a passenger car that makes use of hydrogen know-how is just not distinctive.
Toyota, for example, began engaged on the event of fuel-cell automobiles — the place hydrogen from a tank mixes with oxygen, producing electrical energy — again in 1992. In 2014, the Japanese enterprise launched the Mirai, a hydrogen gasoline cell sedan.
Different main corporations like Hyundai and BMW are additionally looking at hydrogen, in addition to smaller considerations such as U.K.-based Riversimple.
Whereas the above corporations are trying on the potential of hydrogen, some high-profile figures within the automotive sector usually are not so positive. In Feb. 2021, Herbert Diess, the CEO of Germany’s Volkswagen Group, weighed in on the topic. “It’s time for politicians to accept science,” he tweeted.
“Inexperienced hydrogen is required for metal, chemical, aero … and mustn’t find yourself in automobiles. Far too costly, inefficient, gradual and tough to roll out and transport. In spite of everything: no #hydrogen automobiles in sight.”
Regardless of Thursday’s unveiling of the Scenic Imaginative and prescient idea, even Renault CEO Luca de Meo would seem like cautious in the case of speaking about hydrogen’s prospects, according to comments published by Autocar.
Elsewhere, in Feb. 2020 Brussels-based marketing campaign group Transport and Atmosphere hammered residence simply how a lot competitors hydrogen would face within the transportation sector.
T&E made the purpose that inexperienced hydrogen would not solely need to “compete with gray and blue hydrogen,” that are produced utilizing fossil fuels. “It should compete with petrol, diesel, marine gasoline oil, kerosene and, in fact, electrical energy,” T&E stated.
“Wherever batteries are a sensible resolution — automobiles; vans; city, regional and maybe long-haul vehicles; ferries — hydrogen will face an uphill wrestle due to its decrease effectivity and, consequently, a lot larger gasoline prices.”
