SCG Hydrogen Boot edges closer to reality
Fuel-cell pick-up loses bed and gets even uglier in bid to win this year's Baja 1000 endurance raceScuderia Cameron Glickenhaus has evolved its SCG Hydrogen Boot, replacing the off-road racing ute's multiple hydrogen canisters with a single giant tank positioned at the rear of the cab.
Set to be offered as a road-legal version, the 2022 SCG Hydrogen Boot is a product of motorsport as the US brand attempts to repeat its 2019 win at the famous Baja 1000 with another class victory, this time using its radical new fuel-cell-powered truck.
Featuring a major redesign over the SCG Zero Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cell Boot Pick-up Concept, the latest prototype is dominated by an enormous rear-mounted hydrogen tank that's enclosed in a metal cage.
As well as robbing the SCG Boot of its tray, the packaging required for the zero-emissions powertrain and tank – which needs to cover more than 1000 miles (1600km) at race speeds – has seen the racer lose half of its dual-cab.
Other changes include repositioning the spare wheel on the Boot's snub nose and raising the powerful LED headlights.
Twin snorkels, a large roof intake and three side-mounted fans all hint at the need to keep both the batteries and fuel-cells at their optimum temperature.
SCG believes hydrogen power is by far more preferable to battery-electric, for both racing and road use, as the system is significantly lighter and not dogged by lengthy charging times.
Primed to debut at the annual Baja 1000 in November, SCG claims the Hydrogen Boot will be the first zero-emissions vehicle to compete in the off-road race held on Mexico's California Peninsula.
To ensure it has a chance of winning, the US-based car-maker says it is developing its own refuelling infrastructure to enable the racer to be topped up mid-race in the middle of the desert.
There's no word when the road-legal version will be offered, but it's thought the less radical concept from last year could provide the basis for the production pick-up.
When the fuel-cell-powered pick-up does hit the road, expect it to command a significant premium over the V8-powered dual-cab that currently starts at $US287,500 ($A400,000).
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