INEOS Grenadier FCEV not a Hyundai slam-dunk

A future fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) version of the new 2023 INEOS Grenadier may not employ Hyundai powertrain technology despite the tie-up between INEOS and Hyundai announced in 2020.

And while a Grenadier dual-cab ute could arrive as soon as this year and a smaller INEOS dedicated EV has been confirmed for 2026, a Grenadier FCEV is far from certain at this stage.

Speaking at the global launch of the BMW petrol and diesel-engined INEOS Grenadier wagon range in Scotland last month, INEOS Automotive engineering chief Oliver Schlipf told carsales the relationship with the Korean auto giant was not with the INEOS car company but its parent – and that a technology partner was still be confirmed.

“This is not a specific partnership with INEOS Automotive, this is a partnership with the chemical [company] INEOS,” Schlipf stated.

“We have good relationships with the automotive [arm of Hyundai]. We have discussions, but it’s not decided to take the one or another fuel-cell. We are still in discussion with several companies regarding what we think is the best fuel-cell for our vehicle,” he stated.

INEOS Automotive has confirmed it will have a single FCEV proof-of-concept Grenadier conducting testing from mid-2023.

“We are building one prototype, one demonstrator vehicle,” Schlipf explained.

“The rolling chassis is ready and we will finish that demonstrator to present it middle of this year. It’s for us to see how is the performance and what are the challenges in building this vehicle.”

However, INEOS Automotive’s engineering boss says there is “still years of work to do” before a production FCEV Grenadier comes to market.

“We already know that the fuel-cell we have in that [prototype] vehicle will not be the fuel-cell that will go into series [production] because there are newer-generation of fuel-cells with better performance on the market already,” he stated.

Schlipf cited infrastructure as the key barrier to fast adoption of FCEVs and that battery-electric technology was not the solution for vehicles with the capability requirements of the Grenadier.

“The [FCEV] question is more when the infrastructure is ready. We also built one Grenadier BEV to understand the challenges in performance. We think the fuel-cell better fits to the vehicle concept and the usage of typical buyers,” he stated.

INEOS is working with energy companies in the UK and across Europe to accelerate hydrogen supply outlets, and also developing some of its own systems through its petrochemical arm.

INEOS Automotive’s commercial director Mark Tennant said FCEV power would add another string to the Grenadier’s bow, but reiterated the need for more widespread hydrogen availability before the technology could be deployed.

“The Grenadier lends itself very well to fuel-cell hydrogen EV,” he said.

“We would love to do that, but we are not going to make that bet until there is a means of filling them up.

“There is still quite a life left for internal-combustion powertrains, too, and this is the conversation at INEOS – about capability and a preference for the off-road simplicity of mechanical over electric.”

With Hyundai in the wings and both Mercedes-Benz and BMW relationships in place, INEOS Automotive seems spoiled for choice when it does finally nail down an FCEV tech partner. Both German brands have recently confirmed plans to expand production FCEV development.

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