Renault has released details of a hydrogen-electric hybrid concept car, with the French carmaker touting hydrogen technoشlogy as one of the options to make electric cars more convenient.
The Scenic Vision design includes a hydrogen engine, electric motor, battery, fuel cell and hydrogen tank. Renault said the 2.5kg tank is located in the front of the car and takes about five minutes to fill.
According to the data, the 40 kWh Scenic Vision battery is recyclable and produced at a facility in France by 2024.
"The Scenic Vision embodies the exterior design of the new 2024 electric Scénic model," said Gilles Vidal, Renault's design director.
The company said the electric and hydrogen powertrain were part of a long-term vision, beyond 2030.
The hydrogen fuel cell in the Scenic Vision helps extend the car's range on long journeys. Once the network of hydrogen stations is large enough in 2030 and beyond, you can drive up to 800 km without stopping to charge the battery, Renault said.
The International Energy Agency describes hydrogen as a versatile energy carrier. It has a wide variety of uses and can be used in a wide range of industries.
It can be produced in several ways. One method involves the use of electrolysis, with an electric current that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen.
And if the electricity used in this process comes from a renewable source such as wind or solar energy, then some call it green hydrogen or renewable hydrogen.
It is envisaged that the Renault Hybrid will use green hydrogen, although the vast majority of hydrogen generation is currently based on fossil fuels.
Scenic Vision shows how car companies are looking for ways to develop low and zero emissions technologies that can rival the range of petrol and diesel cars.
Renault said: 'Many complementary systems to electric motors are being explored to meet the requirements associated with long-distance driving. Hydrogen technology is one option to make electric cars more convenient.
Renault says it has a range of up to 800 km
The Renault group has created a joint venture with Plug Power called Hyvia. The project focuses, among other things, on hydrogen fuel cells in light commercial vehicles and the provision of hydrogen charging facilities.
But Renault's idea of developing a passenger car using hydrogen technology is not unique. In 1992, Toyota began developing fuel cell vehicles, in which hydrogen from a tank is mixed with oxygen, to produce electricity.
In 2014, the Japanese company launched the Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell sedan.
Other big companies like Hyundai and BMW are also looking into hydrogen. And while the aforementioned companies are researching hydrogen's potential, some of the industry's leading figures aren't quite sure.
Herbert Diess, CEO of Germany's Volkswagen Group, addressed the issue in February 2021. He wrote on Twitter: Green hydrogen is necessary but not for cars. There are no hydrogen cars in sight. Too expensive and ineffective.
Despite the unveiling of the Scenic Vision, the Renault CEO was cautious when talking about the prospects for hydrogen.