As a world first, the car maker admitted that a H2 internal combustion engine is not a Zero Emission Vehicle. Although are a small amount of emissions, still an ICE burning Hydrogen is not ZEV.
Scenic Vision concept is the world first Electric H2 extended ranger concept of propulsion. In fact, Renault specialists merged a normal electric car with Li Io battery with Hydrogen fuel cell. To make no confusion, Renault chief engineer for H2 projects made it clear that no hydrogen ICE engine is involved in the Scenic Vision concept.
Last week, the members of the AUTOBEST Jury participated in an exclusive round table with the experts that built Renault Scenic Vision, the first electric-hidrogen extended range concept car. Gilles Vidal – Head of Renault Design, Clea Martinet – VP Sustainability Group Renault and Philippe Prevel – Gas & H2 Chief Engineer of Renault, offered insights about the Scenic Vision concept which is a vision of the future Scenic model but also a vision of mobility in the next decade.
The three main subjects discussed during the round table were focused on the sustainability of the concept car, its design, and its powertrain.
Back in 1991, Renault presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show the first Scenic Concept as the `voiture a vivre`. Today, the Scenic Vision Concept is packed with innovative technologies, a ground-breaking design and a low carbon footprint (75% lower than Megane E-TECH!).
With the Scenic Vision Concept, Renault is making a statement – the car design is not the most important feature, but its message. 90% of what the Scenic Vision looks like right now will be the production model in 2024.
The Scenic Vision embraces Renault’s strategic engagement of sustainable development, in matter of environment, security and inclusion.
70% of the concept car is produced from recycled materials and 95% of the car is recyclable, battery included. At the interior, 100% of the materials that are in contact with the passengers are recycled, for example recycled plastic, recycled carbon fibre or recycled aluminium.
Another eco-statement of the Scenic Vision is that the vehicle will be available only in black and white: the pigments are one of the biggest pollutants. The black colour will be obtained from CO2, through a decarbonation process.
In the interior, on the panels – a diffraction of light displays on the panels some of the colours of the rainbow.
Other interesting features of the Renault Scenic Vision are the Safety Coach, which allow reducing accidents by 70%, the increased visibility by 24%, the air purifier system that will be able to purify the air around the car when plugged in, the airbags that embrace the passengers- like a `cocoon`- or the face recognition system placed in the B pillar that changes the settings of the car according to the driver stepping in the car. The air purifier system will be able not only to the job inside the car but also outside, around the car itself.
The Scenic Vision has no internal combustion engine.
The powertrain is formed of an electric engine with 160 kW powered by a classical Li Io battery and a hydrogen fuel cell of 16 kWh. The 40-kWh battery is designed to be two-times lighter and cheaper than one made for an equivalent electric car.
In terms of range, the experts communicated a range up to 800 km with a full EV battery + full H2 tank (2.5 kg) and a 5-minute stop for refilling the hydrogen tank. The 100% electric range hasn’t been communicated. The battery contains recycled Li Ni Co and the H2 fuel cell 100% recycled platinum.
With the Scenic Vision concept, Renault sends a clear statement on future mobility technologies – for long distances our EV are not the best solution. A hybrid with H2 Fuel cell might be a better solution for long travels. The pure battery EV’s will continue to represent the best solution for city cars.
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