Ineos said it had undertaken the engineering requirements to build a fully functional hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric version of its Grenadier wagons and utes – but had been held back by a lack of infrastructure support.
Speak to Car Expert at the launch of the Grenadier wagon in Scotland this week, commercial director of Ineos Automotive Mark Tennant said the brand strongly believed in hydrogen power but lacked the necessary confidence that the infrastructure would be built globally.
“A fuel cell electric vehicle for us is the right zero-emissions option for this vehicle, but due to infrastructure issues – none – we can’t make a full bet on fuel cells until we’re more confident that people can fill them up,” Tennant said.
“We will have a fuel cell vehicle operating by the middle of the year, it has nothing to do with if the fuel cell technology is there, it is [but there is no infrastructure].”
In the whole of the UK there are only seven hydrogen refill stations. In Australia there are currently only three refueling stations that supply hydrogen for sale to the public and even for those, prior contact is required.
Hydrogen FCEVs sold here are Hyundai Nexo and Toyota Mirai, with a fleet focus.
Ineos as a company has made a name for itself in the chemical world and actually produces hundreds of tons of hydrogen every year, which explains why the company has partnered with companies like Hyundai to develop its FCEV capabilities.
So far, no powertrain has been locked in for the Grenadier FCEV and whether it will make it to full series production remains to be seen. The real focus seems to be on a smaller full battery electric vehicle that will be released in 2026.
The Ineos Grenadier wagon will arrive in Australia around March this year before the ute is announced later this year with local deliveries expected in early 2024.
It is unlikely that even if the FCEV version of the Grenadier goes into production, our market will raise its hand to take it.
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