Renault could be planning to queue up in the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market to roll out e-cars, but the French auto giant is currently working on a hydrogen-powered concept car that it plans to roll out in May this year but will it finally evolve into an EV?
The car maker, which wants to go fully electric by 2030, has made its maiden attempt to launch concept hydrogen cars and this is in line with its efforts to reduce carbon emission.
However, details haven’t yet trickled out regarding this concept car. The auto company is very bullish about this concept, calling it an “unprecedented one with a hydrogen engine.”
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| Renault hydrogen concept car |
Like its Japanese counterpart Toyota, Renault — under its Renaulution plan — aims to reduce internal combustion engine (ICE) models running on petrol or diesel and rev up electric cars offering.
So, what is the difference between electric vehicles and hydrogen cars. In EVs, the battery will need to be plugged on to a point when it is drained.
A hydrogen fuel cell car comes with a hydrogen tank that supplies fuel cells with highly pressured hydrogen gas that is set to mix with oxygen. An electrochemical reaction happens and this generates electricity to power the electric motor.
Electric vehicles, on the other hand, are powered by electric motors that source current from a rechargeable battery. Or, it may even be other portable sources of electricity.
Whatever be the difference but hydrogen cars are not expected to replace electric vehicles.
The design showcases the car in a silhouette where the outlines are clear amid the LED lights. In the design, there is crossover-like structure seen in the concept car with slim headlight clusters.
This is similar to the car makers Megane, feel some experts.
On the safety front, Renault promises onboard innovations to ensure the safety of the driver and the passengers. After all, Renault cars are well known for their safety features.
The Renault concept looks as if the side mirrors are not regular glass but just cameras!
Besides this concept car based on hydrogen fuel, Renault is also rushing to reach its transformation into e-cars as the European Union has set a deadline to transition into EVs by 2035.
Could Renault be using a modified petrol motor that operates on hydrogen for the new concept car? The car maker uses hydrogen to operate its commercial vehicles, but only for its conventional fuel cell drivetrains.
Hydrogen technology aids in reducing fleet emissions without having to integrate costly and heavy electric vehicle drivetrains. Toyota and Yamaha are currently making use of this technology.
But Renault has said that it wants to go fully electric by 2030. So, is this hydrogen car technology something it wants to use in the interim before finally evolving into an electric car company? This is something to ponder about.
READ ALSO | Renault’s budget EV plan
Renault recently rolled out the electric version of the Kwid, known as the City-KZE, in China and India launch could be expected this year. The expected price of the Kwid EV in India could be around Rs 10 lakh (Rs 10,000,00).
Renault could finally opt for the EV platform if the hydrogen car concept does not become a viable option.
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