What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide

The electrical revolution is coming, in fact by the end of this year it may well be upon us because most manufacturers will, by then, have credible electric light commercial vehicles available and on the market. 

The complete electric ranges of Peugeot and Citroën, which include small, medium and large vans, is undoubtedly a statement of intent from the French side of the Stellantis organisation, but a new electric Renault Kangoo (the model that prompted the electric van movement back in 2012) will be joined by an electric Mercedes-Benz Citan, not to mention a second generation eVito. Then there is the not so insignificant arrival of the Ford E-Transit, plus the stylish Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo.

Electric van buyers will finally be faced with genuine choice, not only of brand and model but also body sizes, shape and function. But, despite the increased choice, van users will still be left with a difficult decision if their LCV needs require them to travel long distances or mean that they do not have the time to stop and charge. 

New electric van registrations accounted for just 3.6% of the market last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, with diesel still being the propulsion method of choice. Whether that is necessity, availability or hesitancy (or perhaps a combination of the three), a viable alternative for users that do not quite match the electric demographic needs to be found and it is hydrogen fuel cells that manufacturers are turning their attention towards.

Stellantis has already revealed its intentions with a fuel cell version of the Vauxhall Vivaro-e Hydrogen due to reach the UK in 2023 (see box) after being rolled out in selected European countries this year, including Germany and France. 

Dr Lars Peter Thiesen, Stellantis’ hydrogen and fuel cell deployment strategy manager, said: “Fuel cell electric vehicles offer a zero-emission solution for customers driving frequent long distances or for those who have to fuel quickly and for those whose usage cannot be covered by battery electric. It’s not a question of either or [electric or fuel cell] but we need both.”

Thiesen has worked in the field of hydrogen for much of his career and envisions a fast-developing market with electric vehicles fulfilling the urban end of the spectrum and hydrogen catering for longer journeys as the logical evolution and solution to our quest for zero emissions. His view is also shared by Hyvia, the new joint venture start-up created by Renault and American hydrogen specialist Plug Power. 

Its answer to hydrogen mobility will take the shape of a Renault Master van with a fuel cell mounted in the roof of the vehicle. Hyvia too sees hydrogen as the long range and fast-fill solution to light commercial vehicle needs and has just inaugurated its fuel cell production facility near Paris, where up to 1,000 fuel cells per year are expected to be manufactured. 

The 3000m² plant will also get a 1MW electrolyser to produce up to 450kg of hydrogen every day in order to test the fuel cells. Even the forklifts operating within the site will use hydrogen, shunning electricity in favour of the new fuel source. 

According to CEO, David Holderbach, Hyvia’s aim is to provide “a full ecosystem” whereby it will be able to go to the customer, diagnose their needs and, should they require it, even provide them with their own electrolyser.

Andy Marsh, Plug Power CEO, says: “Hyvia will be providing a turnkey solution to the market – a unique offering that is just the start.” 

Renault is equally optimistic about the development. Speaking about Hyvia, Heinz-Jurgen Low, senior vice-president of the LCV business unit, says: “Our strategy contains a clear view of the role of hydrogen in mobility. We are technology open minded, and fully committed to electromobility with battery electric and hydrogen vehicles. By 2030 we are planning for 100% Renault electric cars in Europe and, for LCV, we see an opportunity for hydrogen. We think about customers who don’t have enough time to charge their batteries and need faster, higher mileage driving.”

While Hyvia is still in its infancy, having been created in June 2021, in the same way it took the electric van market by storm with the Kangoo ZE, Renault expects similar results.

“They [Plug Power] bring to the table outstanding H2 technology,” Low adds. “We want to achieve 30% market share in Europe, when we talk about LCV hydrogen vehicles.”

Although 30% of a segment that is very much in its amoebic stage may not seem like much, Holderback, Low and Marsh seem content with growing Hyvia first to its 1,000 unit capacity before increasing their ambitions, much like Renault achieved with its ZE range of Master and Kangoo.

If after a decade, it is only now that its electric ambitions are beginning to bear fruit, the hydrogen revolution may well be accelerated – not least because Renault already has credible mainstream competition from Stellantis to help educate and energise the sector.

Vauxhall Vivaro-e Hydrogen

Vauxhall has plans to add a hydrogen Vivaro van to its UK range as early as next year with power coming from a 45kW fuel cell. Described by Stellantis’ Dr Lars Peter Thiesen as a mid-power concept, it sits between a full-power hydrogen-only system and a range extender fuel cell battery electric vehicle (BEV).