With its requirement to drastically reduce local emissions from its vehicles, Peugeot has become one of the very first manufacturers to offer an electric van powered by a hydrogen fuel cell as standard: the PEUGEOT e-EXPERT Hydrogen. The new van's fuel cell encourages rapid recharging, which opens up the possibility of extensive use without emissions. Peugeot hopes just three minutes is all drivers need to store the hydrogen to cover several hundred kilometers in fully electric mode. 

The Peugeot e-Expert has just been tested for the first time by European journalists during trials carried out in Rüsselsheim, Germany, where its production line is located.

Peugeot's objective is to invest in a new uncompromising mobility solution with zero CO2 emissions and to become the leader in hydrogen mobility. The hydrogen-powered fuel cell meets the most stringent requirements for emission-free mobility and adapts to all uses - intensive, long distances, fast recharging, maximum useful volume - without emitting anything other than pure water, released as steam through its exhaust pipe.

The fuel cell is produced in partnership with Symbio and manufactured in its Vénissieux plant in the Lyon suburbs. This technology is guaranteed to have zero CO2 emissions thanks to a reaction that generates an electric current while releasing only water.

Meanwhile, a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 10.5 kWh and a power output of 90 kW is combined with the hydrogen cell. Located under the seats, it supplies the electric engine during some of the driving phases. An on-board three-phase 11-kW charger, located in the engine compartment, is used to power it.

These two energy sources work together to power a permanent magnet electric engine with a power of 100 kW and 260 Nm of torque. Located on the front axle, this electric drive train is similar to that of the PEUGEOT e-EXPERT (battery electric model), which stands out thanks to a gearbox adapted to the loading constraints typical of utility vehicles.

The vehicle has the same load volume characteristics as the diesel and battery electric versions:

• Up to 6.1m³ load volume

• Up to 1100 kg payload

• Up to 1000 kg towing capacity

Combining electric propulsion with the ability to refuel in three minutes for a range of 400 km WLTP, Peugeot believes hydrogen fuel cell technology is the answer to the ever-increasing and complex needs and uses of professionals. Fuel cell technology also gives them greater freedom to carry out their activities, since it provides:

• Greater autonomy, which is crucial given that the vast majority of compact vans operate in suburban areas and densely populated city centres, where the need for zero-emission solutions is becoming more pressing

• The full preservation of one of the core functions of light commercial vehicles: transporting large and heavy objects

• Unprecedented logistical flexibility and optimised usage

The high-voltage battery is guaranteed for 8 years or 160,000 km, so that users can enjoy their vehicle with complete peace of mind.