Renault Unveils Hydrogen Wagon Featuring Rechargeable Battery Technology
The rear-wheel-drive Emblème is an innovative hybrid unlike any other.
Renault is pushing towards carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040, with a global goal set for 2050. To achieve this, the company is intensifying its focus on battery-powered electric vehicles, while also emphasizing the future potential of hydrogen cars. The Emblème, a demo car, epitomizes this dual strategy by integrating a hydrogen fuel cell with a rechargeable battery pack, akin to the Honda CR-V e:FCEV.
The Emblème, described as a shooting brake, showcases an aerodynamic design with a low drag coefficient of just 0.25. Its distinctive look sets it apart from standard models, with hopes that its design elements will influence future production vehicles. At 189 inches (4.8 meters) in length and 59.9 inches (1.52 meters) in height, the Emblème presents a sleek, compact profile.
Renault claims the Emblème can travel up to 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) with the efficiency of an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. This range includes two stops for refueling the 2.8-kilogram hydrogen tank, assuming the availability of refueling stations, which numbered around 1,000 worldwide last year. Each stop takes less than five minutes and a full tank provides 217 miles (350 kilometers) of range. In urban settings, the Emblème operates like a battery-powered electric vehicle, thanks to its 40-kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery pack.
With a full battery charge offering 187 miles (300 kilometers) and two hydrogen refueling stops allowing for 434 miles (700 kilometers), the Emblème achieves impressive range. It features a 215-horsepower rear-mounted motor that uses a wound-rotor design without rare earth elements.
Despite its complex powertrain, the Emblème is lighter than most traditional hybrids or electric vehicles. Renault reports a curb weight of 3,858 pounds (1,750 kilograms), achieved by minimizing unnecessary weight. These efforts make the Emblème as eco-friendly as possible, with a 90% reduction in lifecycle emissions compared to similarly sized vehicles.
The Emblème will be showcased at the 2024 Paris Motor Show from October 14-20, where visitors can expect to see its interior as well.
