Going global: Australian hydrogen car company H2X Global unveils hydrogen-powered truck alongside engineering partner KTM – Car News
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If hydrogen is losing the race against battery electric cars, no one has told Australian company H2X Global, which has been working on hydrogen fuel cell electric cars and commercial vehicles for the past few years.
While the “Warrego” ute, an FCEV test bed based on the Ford Ranger, has been the company’s main focus, it is also working on other models that could be useful in the commercial arena, including a truck named “Darling “, for the river.
In Germany this week, at the Body Engineering Days conference, H2X Global unveiled a concept called the Hydrogen Professional Van alongside its engineering partner KTM.
It looks like a trial version of the truck should lead to the Darling, which the company says will come in three sizes, boast a range of more than 400 kilometers, and have a payload capacity of up to 3.5 tons.
Brendan Norman, CEO of H2X, previously said that the work done would later become part of the basis for its truck, having indicated the end of next year for release.
This means that the Darling Van could come with a front-engined version producing around 200 kilowatts if generally popular van layouts are followed.
“This (Warrego ute) will be implemented in a further improved form in the Darling Delivery Van and Taxi/MPV targeted for launch by the end of 2024 to support a large number of cities in Europe that will be closed to diesel and petrol vehicles from 2025.”
H2X Global previously announced it would build its hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Gippsland, Victoria, with compliance testing of the Warrego ute underway in Europe and planned in Australia.
Chris Ritz, who has held titles such as Head of Advanced Design for VW and Audi, Head of Design for Nissan in Europe and Director of Fiat Chrysler Group Design, is Head of Design at H2X and co-founder of the company.
Having worked on models such as the Audi A4, Ferrari FF and Nissan Micra, Reitz is responsible for the look and feel of the H2X vehicles, and said there had been an “overwhelming response” since the Hydrogen Professional Van was unveiled in Germany.
“H2X Global remains steadfast in its commitment to redefining sustainable transportation solutions, with a particular focus on hydrogen-powered vehicles specifically designed to meet the unique needs of professional drivers,” he said.
“The overwhelming response at Body Engineering Days underscores the industry’s recognition of H2X Global’s pivotal role in pioneering hydrogen mobility solutions.”
On KTM’s side of the partnership, KTM Technologies technical project manager Andy Schumacher said the Austrian technology and engineering company was “delighted” to be working with Australian H2X.
“This partnership has allowed us to witness first-hand the innovative vision and dedication of H2X Global to pioneering hydrogen-powered solutions for the automotive industry.
“KTM recognizes the huge potential of hydrogen technology in creating environmentally friendly and innovative vehicles.”
KTM and H2X are also working together on an “exciting motorsport project involving hydrogen” that could work similarly to the hydrogen-combustion Toyota Corolla race car recently tested.
KTM is no stranger to the world of motorsport as the brand behind many successful race bikes and lightweight race cars like the X-Bow.
Brendan Norman described the partnership between the brands as a “key milestone” in establishing H2X Global as a “global manufacturer of premium hydrogen vehicles”.
