The Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen showcases its main features following its arrival in the first markets

The electrification of commercial vehicles is a reality running parallel to that of passenger cars. These working vehicles fill cities and will undoubtedly make them cleaner environments. However, these vehicles have drawbacks such as their size and the capacity and need to carry loads, which greatly reduce their electric range, so fuel cell or hydrogen undoubtedly becomes a more realistic option for this class of vehicle.

Several brands are betting on fuel cell technology not only for their passenger cars but also for their commercial vehicle lines. Few have become a reality so far, while others, such as Opel, want to be among the first to offer professionals a vehicle that is sustainable for the environment, in this case using the fully electric Vivaro-e as a reference, to which the hydrogen version Vivaro-e Hydrogen is added.

The Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen is already a reality in some markets and for some companies, such as the German home appliance manufacturer Miele, which already has this van in its fleet, specifically. Meanwhile, Spanish professionals who may be interested in this van, for example, will have to wait until 2024, the year sales will begin in our country.

The most interesting part of the Vivaro-e Hydrogen is found under the skin, where the fuel cell system is located, generating a power output of 45 kWh. In ECO mode, the power is 60 kW, and the total maximum power is 100 kW (136 CV), allowing it to accelerate to 100 km/h in 15 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 110 km/h.

These power peaks are provided by a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 10.5 kWh located under the front seats, supplying this additional power when needed, such as when setting off, during strong acceleration and at top speed. Thanks to regenerative braking, it can be charged while driving, although if needed it also has a three-phase on-board charger and a Mode 2 charging cable that provide 50 km of fully electric range. For the rest of its use, it has three hydrogen tanks with a capacity of 4.4 kg each, storing hydrogen at 700 bar, which can be refilled in under three minutes and provide a range of over 400 km.

Neither the battery itself nor the hydrogen tanks compromise the cargo capacity of the Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen, which offers a cargo volume of 5.3 m3 and 6.1 m3 for body sizes M and L respectively that will be sold, in addition to a payload of 960 kg. This cargo will be easier to access thanks to its two sliding side doors plus the rear tailgate.

In addition to all this, the Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen will offer equipment on par with its sister models with combustion engines or the fully electric version, including a 180-degree panoramic rear view camera, blind spot warning and Park Pilot at the front and rear. The Multimedia Navi Pro infotainment system is also worth highlighting, with a touchscreen that can also be operated by voice, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as specific functions via OpelConnect and the myOpel app.