Volkswagen Ramps up Fuel Cell Development

Volkswagen has begun testing a hydrogen fuel cell version of its Passat sedan on the streets of California and has developed a fuel cell model of the Golf SportWagen for research.

by Staff

December 4, 2014

Volkswagen Ramps up Fuel Cell Development — **Photo of Passat HyMotion courtesy of Volkswagen.**

2 min to read

**Photo of Passat HyMotion courtesy of Volkswagen.**

Volkswagen has begun testing a hydrogen fuel cell version of its Passat sedan on the streets of California and has developed a fuel cell model of the Golf SportWagen for research.

The automaker showed the Passat HyMotion and Golf SportWagen HyMotion at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November as concept vehicles. The company said it would produce a fuel-cell powered Golf "as soon as the conditions are right."

Volkswagen is pursuing a slightly different strategy toward hydrogen fuel cell technology than its fellow automakers such as Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Audi by focusing its attention on fuel-cell versions of its best selling models. Toyota and Honda are developing new models (the Mirai and FCV respectively), while Hyundai and Audi have applied the technology to niche vehicles such as the Tucson mid-size SUV and A7 Sportback h-tron quattro concept luxury sedan.

Volkswagen's approach follows its development of a range of powertrain options for its vehicles, especially the Golf compact sedan, which is now available as a gasoline, diesel, electric, of compressed natural gas model.

"Just like the all-electric e-Golf and the plug-in hybrid Golf GTE, the SportWagen HyMotion shows how fuel cells could be integrated into a well-engineered, usable, and attractively priced vehicle," according to a release from the automaker.

The Golf SportWagen HyMotion uses hydrogen stored in four carbon fiber tanks in the underbody that enable a range of 310 miles. The tanks can be refilled in three minutes. The concept vehicle also has a lithium-ion battery that stores kinetic energy from regenerative braking and assists in starting the vehicle.

The fuel cell technology used in the Golf and Passat concept models is essentially the same technology used in the Audi A7 Sportback.

Topics:Volkswagen Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Volkswagen Passat Volkswagen Golf Green Fleet

More Green Fleet

Rendering of electric vehicles charging beneath a solar-panel canopy, illustrating Inspiration Mobility Group’s acquisition of Electrada assets to expand commercial fleet electrification services.

Green Fleet•by News/Media Release•June 17, 2026

Inspiration Mobility Acquires Key Electrada Assets

Inspiration Mobility Group has acquired select assets of Electrada, adding the fleet electrification provider's team, technology, and charging infrastructure development capabilities to its energy management business.

Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter

Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.

Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?

Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.

Hybrids: Electrification Without the Challenges

For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.