Ineos to Unveil Hyrdogen Fuel Cell Grenadier SUV
Energy giant and retro SUV maker, Ineos, will unveil its first hydrogen fuel cell powered SUV at this weekend’s prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK.
The company says its 4X4 demonstrates its belief that hydrogen is a key fuel of the future. This hydrogen Grenadier Demonstrator is identical to the production Grenadier, itself a retro-styled homage to the old Land Rover Defender series. However, the demonstrator does feature a bonnet power bulge to accommodate the additional height of the fuel cell but this would not be present in the future production model.
The vehicle uses BMW Group’s latest hydrogen fuel cell, zero-emissions powertrain and the flexible nature of the Grenadier platform allowed Ineos engineers to integrate the powertrain with modifications to the ladder frame and rear axle, accommodating the electric drive units to deliver true torque vectoring drive control to each rear wheel. Ineos claims its torque vectoring, dubbed the ‘gecko capability’, affords better control and maneuverability in off-road conditions, as well as a tighter turning circle and enhanced on-road driving dynamics.
To get to this point, the hydrogen Grenadier Demonstrator has undergone rigorous testing to ensure there has been no compromise to its on- and off-road capabilities or towing capacities. Like the other versions of the Grenadier, the demonstrator has be tested on the trails of the Austrian mountains and the various offroad challenges around its production plant in Graz.
Lynn Calder, CEO, Ineos Automotive, said: “The hydrogen powered Grenadier Demonstrator is an extraordinary vehicle, capable of doing everything a conventionally powered Grenadier can do but with zero emissions. It shows INEOS’s determination to make supremely capable cars that will help us reach net zero. BEVs are perfect for certain uses, shorter trips, most private car journeys and urban deliveries, whilst hydrogen FCEVs are more suited for longer trips, heavy duty cycles where batteries impact too much on payload and where long range between stops is necessary. Ineos also produces 400,000 tons of hydrogen per annum and is committed to hydrogen as a key fuel of the future. Our demonstrator proves that the technology is capable, but what we need now is support from policy makers to help provide the infrastructure for the next generation of hydrogen vehicles.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_ and Threads
Hydrogen is the future.
Why do they keep wanting to go the worst of two ways. Hydrogen ICE is best since you would actually be environmentally friendly in being able to reuse existing products and infrastructure with less modification than going to a “wet battery”.
Personally, I agree Ron that the first move should be to burn hydrogen to roll out the necessary infrastructure before focusing on the more efficient, albeit more costly, fuel cell approach. Japanese motorcycle companies are pushing for hydrogen ICE realizing not bike wants a soulless electric motorcycle.