Aussie company reveals H2X Hydrogen Professional Van

Australian hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) manufacturer H2X Global and KTM Technologies have debuted a new prototype people-mover dubbed the Hydrogen Professional Van at the Body Engineering Days Conference in Germany.

Presented to a consortium of high-ranking industry players including BMW, Tesla and Honda, the H2X Hydrogen Professional Van will eventually be available in six-, eight- and 10-seat configurations, each riding on a variant-specific wheelbase and measuring between 4670mm and 5320mm overall.

Dimensions like that mean the water-emitting people-mover will inevitably cross paths and probably swords with MPV stalwarts like the Kia Carnival and Hyundai Staria while offering more interior room and/or seating capacity on account of its compact and emission-free powertrain.

We don’t have any specifics just yet, but H2X is claiming the prototype will cover up to 400km on a full tank of hydrogen before needing refuelling, making it competitive with battery-electric offerings like the Mercedes-Benz EQV (418km WLTP).

Like most modern MPVs, SUVs and passenger vehicles these days, the Hydrogen Professional Van features a wealth of practical and tech-savvy features including sliding side doors and rear barn doors, 5G connectivity, a 360-degree camera and all the usual driver aids like blind spot monitoring, aero wheels and LED exterior lighting.

While H2X was primarily responsible for the powertrain development, the partnership between it and KTM is focusing on the development of strong and lightweight vehicle bodies made from rolled T4/T6 aluminium.

Word is the Hydrogen Professional Van was one of the conference’s big talking points, with H2X Global co-founder and chief design officer Chris Reitz declaring the “overwhelming response” an acknowledgement of the firm’s “pivotal role in pioneering hydrogen mobility solutions”.

KTM Technologies technical project manager Andy Schuhmacher said it was an honour to be involved in the project and that it had provided the wider KTM business a front-row seat to the development of hydrogen as a fuel type and the tech needed to harness it.

“As a company committed to pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering, KTM recognises the immense potential of hydrogen technology in creating environmentally friendly and groundbreaking vehicles,” he said.

We don’t yet have a timeline as to when the Hydrogen Professional Van will enter production, but the sheer polish of the prototype’s design suggests it shouldn’t be too long. However, it remains to be seen if it will be offered in Australia.

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