700km and recharges in 5 minutes: what's its secret?

Renault presented the Master H2-Tech Prototype powered by an electric motor at the Hanover (Germany) utility vehicle show. It has a range of 700km, even in winter, and recharges in 5 minutes, thanks to its "Dual Power".

This light utility vehicle powered by an electric motor preserves its autonomy even in cold weather. According to the official WLTP cycle, this vehicle has a range of 700km. However, it's not an electric van like the others. It is a "Dual Power" hybrid, but not in the way you think. Indeed, its tank stores hydrogen: 9kg to be precise. This gas powers the 49 kW fuel cell needed to produce electricity, with ambient air. A 20 kWh battery ensures electric autonomy. Time to find an H2 station? This "intelligent" system will mainly optimize the cell as well as the battery in order to preserve autonomy.

On the road in 2025

Renault will market a hydrogen van in Europe at the end of 2025. In the meantime, we must imagine it through its Master H2-Tech prototype. It is consistent with what the production model will be, even if the power of the electric motor is still unknown. It should be equipped with the "Heat recovery" system. This technology recovers the heat produced by the fuel cell for thermal comfort in the passenger compartment while preserving the vehicle's autonomy.

Find the H2 pump

Renault promises the deployment of a network of H2 stations in Europe, which is still in its infancy, despite a few charging points here and there (sometimes broken down). In 2024, there will be at least 265 on the continent. Some countries are more advanced than others in this area: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland and Belgium. In the other countries, there are between 0 and 5 points maximum!