Automotive group Stellantis is working on hydrogen combustion engines as one of four alternative solutions to zero-emissions driving, said CEO Carlos Tavares as reported by Autocar.
The carmaker is working to diversify the types of powertrains that are usable under the decarbonisation rules laid out by the European Union, and Tavares criticised legislators for their ‘brutal’ methods in moving carmakers away from fossil fuels and directing them towards EVs, and Stellantis is diversifying its powertrain options for those who struggle with EV charging.
“The real competition is starting between fuel cell, EVs, hydrogen internal combustion engines and even synthetic fuels. We will see in the next few years what is going to be the best solution for the citizens,” Tavares said.
The CEO did not reveal which models in the group’s product line-up would be sold with hydrogen combustion engines, however Stellantis already has the K0 range of mid-size vans on sale with a choice of hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain, according to Autocar.
Combustion engines powered by hydrogen and synthetic fuels are being promoted by European manufacturers and suppliers, and to that end a consortium named the Hydrogen Engine Alliance was formed to champion the case for internal combustion engines.
The Hydrogen Engine Alliance is comprised of OEMs including Daimler Truck, Claas, Isuzu, JCB and MAN, along with suppliers including Bosch, BorgWarner and Dana, reports Autocar.
Hydrogen combustion powertrains have also been trialled by Toyota, with the Hiace Hydrogen Prototype that was announced last month for a customer pilot programme that begins in Australia.
Before that, the Corolla Cross Hydrogen Concept was shown at GIIAS 2023, showcasing high-pressure hydrogen direct injection technology that has been adapted for the 1.6 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine from the GR Corolla, a version of which in a Corolla Sport has finished a five-hour endurance race in Japan.
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as if hydrogen refueling is any easier!
no infrastructure for hydrogen refueling, at all.
which is worse?
Kilang kat gurun Kedah dh dekat lingkup. Kikikih
I agree
If a multibillion dollar company is willing to invest money like this, it says a lot about what their long term projections about BEVs are. Perhaps BEVs aren’t the way forward after all…
Yes, please, more company invest in Hydrogen powered. #BEVSucks
Are you willing to queue to pump hydrogen similarly to those taxis cars pump CNG LPG at your local fuel station?
Hydrogen is “highly flamable” and “highly explosive” gas. Hydrogen is not new at all but why until today still not materialize. EV range is bad due to long charging time, low driving range and flamable. But hydrogen is worse in safety because it is “explosive”, not flame or fire. Car got fire we might still have time to escape, but if explode basically no room to survive. Imagine the hydrogen need to be pressurize to 350 – 700bar to store into the tank. Normally tyre pressure 2.5bar and we can feel the compressor pressure is strong.
EV battery is still in lithium and next generation is solid-state battery. This battery is half of the size of current EV battery meanwhile can easily double the range. The battery can be charged to full in as low as 10-15 min time while lifespan is easily surpass 500k km. If this battery reveal why should we still go for hydrogen then? It is easily access to electric even in kampung at very slow in charge but we may not get a hydrogen station within 50km radius.