Hydrogen-powered Ineos Grenadier SUV to begin testing in 2022

Ineos Automotive has confirmed that it is developing a hydrogen fuel cell version of the new Grenadier SUV, which will begin testing by the end of 2022. 

The news is hardly surprising - Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has spoken of the need for the UK to invest in hydrogen infrastructure, and in November 2020 his company signed an agreement with Hyundai to co-develop new hydrogen fuel cell technologies.

The firm is also the largest producer of hydrogen via electrolysis in Europe. Ineos says it creates and uses up to 400,000 tonnes of low carbon hydrogen each year, the equivalent, it claims, to 2 billion litres of diesel. 

The November 2020 memorandum of understanding hinted that the hydrogen fuel cell technology used in Hyundai’s Nexo SUV would be evaluated for use in the Grenadier. However, Hyundai is already developing next-generation hydrogen technology of its own, as revealed in the 671bhp Vision FK concept car from earlier in the year.

Ineos has not yet revealed a hydrogen fuel cell Grenadier prototype but the confirmation of the vehicle is a key part of a new hydrogen advocacy campaign, which will see the firm invest a further £1.7bn in green hydrogen technologies. 

Any production ready hydrogen fuel cell version of the Grenadier will line-up alongside BMW engined petrol and diesel versions of the car due on sale in 2022, with prices confirmed to start from £48,000. 

And Ineos is not alone in developing a hydrogen fuel cell tough off-roader - Jaguar Land Rover has announced it is evaluating a fuel cell Defender prototype, which will begin testing towards the end of this year. 

“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 Sir Jim Ratcliffe. 

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