Renault Launches Station for Refueling Hydrogen-Powered Cars with 5-Minute Recharge Time

Renault Expands Use of Its Hydrogen-Powered Cars with the Development of Its New Station, Promising to Fill a Hydrogen Vehicle’s Tank in Just 5 Minutes

In Mortefontaine, near Paris, HYVIA – the partnership between Renault Group & Plug Power, further demonstrated the automaker’s commitment and passion for a cleaner future, unveiling the Renault Master Van H2-TECH prototype to the International Van of the Year jury members, alongside its Hydrogen refueling station prototype for hydrogen-powered cars, which seeks to implement its own hydrogen-based ecosystem, including production and distribution of green hydrogen with a variety of hydrogen fuel cell light commercial vehicles.

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Renault Master Van H2-TECH Prototype

Available from 2022, the new hydrogen-powered vehicle, Master Van H2-TECH, offers zero CO² emissions with a longer range and fast refueling time, and is designed to transport goods and packages with ease, thanks to its 12m³ cargo volume and a range of up to 500km.

Thanks to these attributes, Renault’s hydrogen van will easily meet the needs of businesses, large fleets, and local communities. The Master Van H2-TECH is equipped with a 30kW fuel cell, a 33kWh battery with four tanks containing a combined 6kg of hydrogen, all fully produced in France.

The van itself is built at Renault’s factory in Batilly, while the electrical and hydrogen integration is completed by PVI, a subsidiary of the Renault Group, based in Gretz-Armainvilliers. The electric motor is produced at the Cleon factory, while the assembly of the fuel cell will begin at the Flins factory by the end of 2021. The hydrogen tanks are supplied by Faurecia.

Hydrogen Refueling Station Prototype

HYVIA’s hydrogen refueling stations will be available for purchase, rental, or subscription and are designed to meet and exceed all safety regulations and best practices, allowing fast refueling times similar to those of conventional combustion vehicles – just five minutes.

The way the refueling station operates is simple – the supplied hydrogen will be generated on-site using water electrolysis or provided in bulk through gaseous tube trailers.

The system then compresses H2 for storage before dispensing it into the vehicle when needed. The fueling stations will also be assembled at the Flins factory in northern France.

These prototypes represent a first illustration of the HYVIA ecosystem, including green hydrogen production (electrolyzers) and distribution (Hydrogen Refueling Station), along with a range of hydrogen fuel cell light commercial vehicles (Van, Chassis Cab, and Citybus) that are complementary to battery electric vehicles. More prototypes currently in development include the Master Chassis Cab H2-TECH: a larger van with even more cargo space (19 m³) and a range of about 155 miles (250 km).

About Plug Power

Plug Power is building the hydrogen economy as a leading provider of comprehensive solutions for hydrogen fuel cells. The company’s innovative technology powers electric motors with hydrogen fuel cells amidst an ongoing paradigm shift in the energy, hydrogen, and transportation sectors to address climate change and energy security while meeting sustainability goals.

Plug Power has created the first commercially viable market for hydrogen fuel cell technology. As a result, the company has deployed over 50,000 fuel cell systems for e-mobility, more than any other in the world, and has become the largest buyer of liquid hydrogen, having built and operated a hydrogen highway in North America.

About HYVIA

“HY” for hydrogen, “VIA” for roads: HYVIA is paving a new path for carbon-free mobility with hydrogen mobility solutions. Established in June 2021, HYVIA is a joint venture equally owned by the Renault Group, a dominant player in the automotive industry, and Plug Power, a global leader in turnkey hydrogen and fuel cell solutions.

Based in France, HYVIA offers a complete and unique ecosystem that includes hydrogen fuel cell light commercial vehicles, hydrogen refueling stations, carbon-free hydrogen supply, financing services, and fleet maintenance.