The Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen, presented in mid-2021, will be mass-produced at the Hordain plant in France, along with the Peugeot e-Expert Hydrogen and the Citroën ë-Jumpy Hydrogen. The hydrogen-powered vehicles will be assembled on the site’s multi-energy line, the same that previously produced the electric and combustion engine versions.
The Vivaro-e Hydrogen is based on the Vivaro-e battery-electric van and adopts the familiar 100 kW powertrain used in numerous Opel, Peugeot, DS and Citroën models. The FC van will only be available in M and L lengths (4.96 and 5.30 metres). The S length (4.60 metres) is missing, as additional space is needed for the hydrogen tanks installed in the underbody instead of the 75-kWh battery. The tanks hold 4.4 kilograms of hydrogen and should provide a range of around 400 kilometres. And the high-voltage storage unit has an energy content of 10.5 kWh. In addition, unlike most FCEVs, the battery can also be charged by cable – at 11 kW in 60 minutes. The battery is installed under the front seats and is similar to the one used in plug-in hybrid models.
“We see a major role for hydrogen in the transition to sustainable energy sources and fuels. We have had hydrogen cars in our company since 2019, currently with around thirty vehicles altogether, including tractors and large mobile cranes,” says Robert Scholman, co-owner and son of founder Jos Scholman. “We are delighted to now be adding sixteen Opel Vivaro-e HYDROGEN light commercial vehicles to our fleet. This will greatly contribute to our sustainability targets for transporting small equipment and urban distribution..”
For the H2 vehicles already in use, Jos Scholman has had its own hydrogen filling station on the company premises for several years. In the future, the company will also produce its own green hydrogen with an electrolyser. The energy needed for this process comes from sustainable sources such as solar and wind power, Stellantis says.
The construction company was founded more than 40 years ago by Jos Scholman. The family business now employs around 250 people and is run by founder Jos Scholman Sr. and his two sons, Robert and Jos Jr.
There are also a few examples of Opel’s hydrogen transporter on the road in Germany. Five Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen are now in service with EWE Netz in Germany. GP Joule previously added five Vivaro-e Hydrogen to its service fleet in May.
Source: Stellantis