Ford Ranger fuel-cell ute priced at $200,000

Australian fuel-cell electric vehicle company H2X has priced its new hydrogen-fuelled ute based on the Ford Ranger from nearly $190,000, with the top-spec model set at $250,000 plus on-road costs.

The 2022 H2X Warrego is to be demonstrated publicly for the first time on the Gold Coast in November, ahead of first deliveries starting in April 2022.

H2X is claiming more than $50 million worth of orders in both Australia and overseas, which equates to about 250 vehicles.

There are three Warrego models on offer. The Warrego 66 starts at $189,900, the mid-spec 90 at $235,000 and the flagship 90 XR is $250,000. All prices are plus on-road costs.

The base model is fitted with a 200kW e-motor, 66kW fuel-cell, 60kW supercapacitor/battery pack, a 6.2kg hydrogen tank and comes with a claimed 500km range and a 110km/h top speed.

There are two 90kW fuel-cell versions, both coming with a 220kW e-motor, 100kW supercapacitor and a 150km/h top speed. However, the top-spec model gets a 9.3kg hydrogen tank that extends range to 750km.

All three Warrego models have 350Nm torque output, a 1000kg payload (down from 1500kg initially claimed) and a 2500kg braked towing capacity.

Only the 66 comes with the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.

H2X is offering a 48-month powertrain warranty for Warrego.

The advantage of an FCEV over the plethora of battery-electric utes headed to market globally is the quick refuelling times. H2X says the Warrego can be refuelled in three-to-five minutes.

But with no more than four hydrogen refuelling stations up and running in Australia by the time Warrego launches, private buyer interest is bound to be limited – if the price wasn’t limiting enough already.

As with other FCEVs such as the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai NEXO, government and business fleets would seem to be the most likely homes for the Warrego, though as a workhorse it should also appeal to mining companies.

H2X Australia launched in June 2020 with plans to reboot the local car manufacturing industry with a family of FCEVs. However, those plans were slowed because of a cash shortfall.

It has now re-emerged as H2X Global with fresh funding. Following on from the Warrego, H2X has declared plans to develop other commercial and private-use FCEVs for Australian and international sale.