Citroen e-Jumpy hydrogen on trial
Readers who went to the CV Show last September may remember Vauxhall had a full size cutaway version of the Vivaro hydrogen on their stand and now Citroen’s European version of the van, the e-Jumpy ( Dispatch in the UK), has been in with The SUEZ Group conducting real world trials at its Carcassonne site in France.
The site foremen at the Carcassonne location used the ë-Jumpy Hydrogen exclusively for their daily activities which involved worksite visits, restocking of small and large equipment supplies and emergency repair work in the event of a water leak. They regularly undertake journeys of over 60 miles – a significant distance that can be achieved multiple times with ë-Jumpy Hydrogen’s 248 mile range.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, serving to highlight the benefits and capabilities of the new hydrogen powered vehicle and they have been particularly impressed by the panel van’s overall usability, extended range and practical payload.
Hydrogen / Battery a winning combination?
This hybrid solution was chosen by Citroën following research conducted in partnership with Symbio, a joint venture specialising in fuel cells created by Michelin and Faurecia. Citroën ë-Jumpy Hydrogen benefits from both a 10.5kWh Lithium-ion battery and a 45kW fuel cell, powered by three 700 bar hydrogen tanks, developed by Faurecia, with a storage capacity of up to 4.4kg of hydrogen.
According to Citroen, the main benefits of a hydrogen allows for optimum practicality and wide-ranging usage requirements thanks to quick refuelling times that ensure vehicles are almost permanently operational. A complete refuel takes just 6 minutes from a 350 bar pump, while stations fitted with a 700 bar pump can refill in half that time. The 10.5kWh battery – providing a 31 mile backup power supply if the hydrogen tanks run out – is very easy to charge on a standard 230V socket.
Why this combination
Whilst being capable for multiple short journeys throughout a day, the range of the vehicle meets the needs of the 44% of customers in the compact van segment who say they occasionally travel more than 185 miles. Hydrogen technology offers a new solution in the field of professional mobility, complementary to the development of purely electric versions. Hydrogen technology is less sensitive when it comes to carrying heavy loads, driving speeds and weather conditions.
Weights and Dimensions
The load volume of ë-Jumpy Hydrogen is the same as for the standard Citroën Jumpy*, with 5.3m3 for the Medium body style and 6.1m3 for the XL version meaning it has a payload and towable load of up to 1 tonne on both versions, and a width between the wheel-arches of 1.25m.
The hydrogen technology combines a Lithium-ion battery with a fuel cell connected to hydrogen tanks. When hydrogen and air are brought into contact with a catalyst, the fuel cell generates electricity to power an electric motor, the only emission produced is water vapour. and compared to a battery, a fuel cell is considered more as an energy converter than a storage device.
Hydrogen benefits
Hydrogen provides the energy needed for greater range, while the mid-capacity battery combines power and performance with energy recovery and recharging capability. As this solution positions the battery pack under the seats at the front and the hydrogen tanks under the floor in the rear of the van, the modifications have no impact on the load volume of the vehicle. This system also ensures there is no compromise in performance, with a fuel cell powerful enough to guarantee constant speed on the motorway. The battery then provides the energy required for acceleration and the extra power required when starting and for the first few miles on the road. Hybrid technology also means that the battery provides reserve power when the hydrogen tanks are empty, meaning drivers reduce the risks of ‘running dry’.
