On the occasion of the announcement of the group’s financial results, Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault, unveiled the first lines of a hydrogen-powered concept car, which will be officially unveiled in March. The French automaker is accelerating its transition.
Renault will present a hydrogen vehicle in May 2022
The presentation of this concept in May 2022 could mark a turning point and the opening of a new chapter for Renault. In the words of Luca de Meo, the group’s new strategy will revolve around three main values: “environment, security and inclusion”. After announcing 35 new electric vehicles for 2030, the French manufacturer is preparing to unveil a new concept car with a hydrogen engine.
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As 10 years ago with electric, Renault wants to be a pioneer of hydrogen in France. Indeed, with the launch of the Zoe in 2012, the French manufacturer was ahead of its competitors in the electrical field. However, today Renault has been left behind. Luca de Meo assumes and specifies that “despite the fact that many projects were ahead of their time at Renault, there were hesitations, particularly given the mass of investments to be made and the lack of immediate demand”.
A new chapter for the French manufacturer?
Hydrogen could therefore be an opportunity to take a step back. This vehicle, still mysterious for the moment, therefore fits with the objective of decarbonizing the groupwhich plans to achieve a 100% electric energy mix by 2030.
The Renault boss said that this vehicle will also highlight the circular economy, with recycled and recyclable materials. No additional information has been released at this time other than this first photo-teaser, on which we discover the front of the model, rather compact, as well as its light signature. A concept car designed under the direction of Gilles Vidal, design director at Renault.
In terms of hydrogen, Renault is not at its first attempt. The brand already offers utility vehicles with a hydrogen engine, like the Master H2-Tech and its variations. This new technology is also appealing to Hyundai, which recently unveiled its plans for next-generation engines and new concept vehicles in its Hydrogen Vision 2040 strategic plan.
If all manufacturers are not frankly interested in hydrogen, it is not without reason. In effect, hydrogen is a highly explosive fuel which must be stored at very high pressure, which makes infrastructure costly and complex.