The future of hybrids?
Renault believes its new zero-emission Scenic Vision concept car offers a convenient solution to quick refuelling on long trips: combining battery-power with hydrogen fuel cells.
The “one-of-a-kind” battery-hydrogen hybrid system means the Scenic Vision can be driven in pure-electric mode for daily driving, using a new-generation 160kW (215bhp) electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack with a 40kWh battery capacity.
That’s a little larger than the pack found on the Mini Electric (32.6kWh), which has an official range of up to 141 miles per charge, but smaller than the batteries found on most other modern EVs. A small battery means reduced weight, and therefore improved efficiency and better handling characteristics, Renault says.
But long journeys should be a breeze — in the future, at least — thanks to the addition of a 2.5kg hydrogen tank at the front of the car, which feeds a 15kW fuel cell stack under the floor at the rear.
The fuel cell works as a range-extender for the battery, converting the hydrogen gas into electricity by combining it with oxygen from the air — the by-product being H2O (water). The resulting electrical charge is then stored in the battery pack.
By deploying the fuel cell stack, the maximum range of the Scenic Vision is around 497 miles, according to Renault. And if you can fill up the tank again, which takes less than five minutes, you can keep motoring.
At present there are only a handful of hydrogen filling stations in the UK but other countries in the world have more developed refuelling networks, and Renault believes the technology in the Scenic Vision is “viable for the coming decade”.
Another clever use for the hydrogen fuel cell is for maintaining temperature in the battery pack, so that when the weather is cold the BEV system is optimised for range.
More eco-friendly than a regular EV
With Renault aiming for “carbon neutrality” in Europe by 2040, and worldwide by 2050, it has pulled out all the stops when it comes to the entire lifecycle of the Scenic Vision Concept.
Charging the battery using renewable energy and refilling the hydrogen tanks with “green hydrogen”, which is also produced using renewables, is the most obvious sign of it eco-potential, but in addition the electric motor, based on the one found in the new Mégane E-Tech Electric, uses zero rare-earth elements, while the battery pack is fully recyclable.
In fact, 95% of the concept’s materials are recyclable, and 70% come from recycled materials in the first place. Renault says that overall, the concept’s carbon footprint is 75% lower than that of a conventional electric car.
Previews a new model
The Renault Scenic Vision is just a concept at this stage but the company says it previews a new model, to be powered purely by batteries, set to be unveiled in 2024. The company is aiming for an electric-only model range by 2030.
- If you were interested in Renault’s eco-friendly Scenic Vision concept and its hydrogen-battery hybrid system, check out the NamX HUV with removable hydrogen capsules — the solution to hydrogen refuelling issues?
- Did you know the new Extreme H series is a hydrogen off-road racing championship devised by the Extreme E BEV founders
- And check out what James May had to say about the battery vs hydrogen electric car debate
Keyword: Renault's eco-friendly Scenic Vision concept is battery-electric for everyday driving but deploys hydrogen for long trips