Hydrogen-powered INEOS Grenadier confirmed

British car-maker INEOS has announced it is developing a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) powertrain for the INEOS Grenadier 4x4 off-roader, with testing to begin in 2022.

A production version of the zero-emissions INEOS Grenadier FCEV is expected to join the BMW-powered six-cylinder turbo-diesel and turbo-petrol models that are due in Australia from the second half of 2022 starting at $84,500 plus on-road costs.

It’s not clear when the hydrogen-powered off-roader will go on sale, and it’s too early to pin down pricing.

The move is part of a broader initiative by parent company INEOS Group, which is one of the world’s largest multinational chemical companies.

The group has invested €2 billion ($A3.13b) into its hydrogen production facilities and is on a crusade to popularise the alternative fuel.

INEOS says the FCEV approach is better suited to the large and heavy off-road vehicle sectors compared to battery-electric vehicles, delivering a significantly higher cruising range.

The hydrogen-fuelled Grenadier will use a version of Hyundai’s FCEV powertrain that is currently employed in the Nexo SUV.

The Hyundai Nexo has a 95kW fuel-cell stack hooked up to a single electric motor (120kW/395kW) and a small 1.5kWh lithium-ion battery.

It recently covered almost 900km before needing to refuel, driving from Melbourne to beyond Broken Hill in Australia.

As well as the Grenadier wagon, expect the FCEV powertrain to be offered with the forthcoming ute version, which would give INEOS a rival for the likes of the Rivian R1T, Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning.

The initial prototype INEOS FCEV will be co-developed by European engineering firm AVL, which previously worked with Ford on an FCEV version of the Transit delivery van.

Along with the Transit van, a hydrogen-powered bus will also be touring the UK – including Scotland – under INEOS auspices to focus attention on the alternative fuel ahead of the United Nations COP26 climate action summit in Glasgow that kicks off on October 31.

“Electric cars are ideal for city centres and short journeys, but hydrogen is much better for longer journeys and heavier loads and that requires immediate investment in hydrogen distribution and hydrogen filling stations,” said INEOS chairman Jim Ratcliffe.