H2X says an Australian hydrogen fuel cell ute is finally making critical steps towards production. The company also released a number of new photos of the ute, dubbed the Warrego.
It has been a while coming. Having fallen prey to the same global challenges as many carmakers and startups across the globe, the company was forced to delay a 2021 local launch.
But, instead of an Australia-first launch, it will first be made available to the European market. This is because there is more hydrogen refuelling infrastructure there.
H2X originally slated the Warrego FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle) utility truck launch for November 2021. The company says it has garnered encouraging interest for the hydrogen ute, having taken 250 orders.
This is impressive considering there are very few hydrogen refuelling stations in Australia, let alone any that are publicly available.
Warrego ute to launch in Europe first
This tiny detail has not discouraged H2X, but it has changed its focus for launch. The Warrego ute is now undergoing rigorous homologation and certification testing in Europe, the company announced on Monday.
“It is true that we have had some frustrating delays over the past nine months, however, we are now well on track with our rollout plans,” H2X CEO and founder Brendan Norman said via a statement.
“It is extremely satisfying that our team now have the Warrego running through the final stages its engineering, safety and on road verification program and production readiness.”
H2X says it has now overcome the myriad supply chain issues that delayed the Warrego ute’s launch. Norman says that the H2X “production and engineering teams have done an amazing job to overcome these problems and we are now back on schedule.”
Hydrogen-powered van and taxi also in pipeline
In addition to the Warrego ute, H2X is working on a hydrogen-powered delivery van. It is called the H2X Darling, and it will be joined by a people-moving taxi.
But it will be a few years before we see any of these on the roads – even in Europe.
“The Warrego is essentially a demonstration vehicle which we are able to offer to several customers in order to accelerate the availability of an AWD light commercial vehicles to customers, using a state-of-the-art Hybrid Hydrogen Fuel Cell System,” said Norman.
The hybrid fuel cell system consists of a 60kW fuel cell and is connected to a hybrid battery/supercapacitor.
This is coupled to a 700-bar type 4 hydrogen tank system that is made of a carbon fibre and advanced polymer base. This provides greater safety levels and very long operating standards, says H2X.
It also allows the vehicle to operate at a lower 350 bar compression. It is, however, also capable of operating at far higher compression rates, which would increase the vehicle’s range per tank by twofold.
“This application will be applied in a more optimised form in the Darling Delivery Van and Taxi/MPV targeted for release by the end of 2024 to support the large number of cities in Europe which will be closed off from Diesel and Petrol vehicles from 2025,” he said.
H2X says a right-hand Warrego ute will undergo local testing soon, and is now slated for availability to customers by mid-2023. It will be produced in Europe as well as in Sale, Victoria.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.