Hydrogen-powered Citroen Dispatch achieves 248-mile range in trials

A hydrogen-powered Citroen Dispatch van has proven its real-world range of 248 miles in a trial by SUEZ Group.

The environmental services firm has been using the vehicle in Carcassonne, France, since January, to assess its capabilities.

Site foremen use the e-Dispatch Hydrogen exclusively for their daily activities. Their role is multifaceted, involving worksite visits, the restocking of small and large equipment supplies and emergency repair work in the event of a water leak. They regularly undertake journeys exceeding 60 miles – a distance that can be achieved multiple times with vehicle’s 248-mile range.

The vehicle uses an electric motor for propulsion, which can be powered by an on board battery pack or the hydrogen fuel cell.

A complete refuel takes six minutes from a 350 bar pump, while stations fitted with a 700 bar pump can refill in half that time. The van’s 10.5kWh battery – providing a 31 mile backup power supply if the hydrogen tanks run out – can be charged using a domestic socket.

The load volume of e-Dispatch Hydrogen is the same as for the standard vehicle with 5.3 cubic metres for the Medium body style and 6.1 cubic metres for the XL version. This also means a payload and towable load of up to one tonne on both versions, and a width between the wheel-arches of 1.25m.

Stellantis confirmed it will offer three hydrogen plug-in hybrid vans based on the existing Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Vauxhall Vivaro, last year.

Trials with other fleets are ongoing, including Miele in Germany. Right hand drive vehicles will be available in the UK later this year.