The heat engine is dead, long live the hydrogen engine! While European Ministers have recently validated the end of sales of thermal vehicles from 2035, the hydrogen combustion engine could save the manufacturers who are more and more numerous to be interested in the solution. Toyota is already experimenting with the technology on a Hydrogen-powered racing Corollaet Hyundai is working on a first engine for heavy vehicles. Renault’s sports brand is also “very actively” interested in the subject.
While Alpine already presented a few weeks ago a hydrogen supercar concept designed by students from the Turin Design Institute, the brand’s CEO, Laurent Rossi, explains more about the manufacturer’s orientations.
« We want to find alternatives that are not necessarily incompatible with electrification, because electrification is – like it or not – the future of the car for at least 60-70% of the car fleet. he told reporters at the British Autocar website at the British Grand Prix. ” In our case, we think hydrogen as a fuel could be one. Hydrogen has the ecological merit of being very compatible with electrification, because the parallel path to hydrogen as a fuel is hydrogen as a fuel cell, which produces electricity.é” he continued.
The competition before the series
For the boss of Alpine, the objective of presenting the technology on a racing car within the framework of Le Mans or another motor competition where hydrogen would have its place. The brand could even design a tailor-made prototype, like what was done by Volkswagen on the electric with the ID.R.
« We think there could be a proof of concept that could be done, with hydrogen as the fuel, which could then translate into super high performance cars, and why not Alpine road cars? “he detailed. ” We know that Le Mans is promoting hydrogen fuel cells, which is a step forward, but we want to take another step forward and use hydrogen as fuel so that we can use a V6 – a V6 hybrid – powered by ‘hydrogen ».
The Renault group in all directions on hydrogen
If it continues to invest massively in its electric battery range, Renault has been making announcements around hydrogen for several months.
While its subsidiary Hyvia is preparing to launch its first offer in the utility segment, Renault has also explored the potential of hydrogen on board the Scenic Vision, a concept combining batteries with a small 15 kW fuel cell acting as a range extender. In the area of competition, Alpine is also associated with Plug Powera fuel cell specialist, since March 2021.
