In this instalment of John Murdoch’s Drive Time, John examinesa new Hydrogen powered van from Vauxhall that has a range of up to 311 miles, and new features available on BMW and MINI display screens.
Vauxhall has just announced pricing and specification for its Movano Hydrogen, the latest addition to the Vauxhall electric and hydrogen vehicle line-up, offering zero exhaust emissions solution with a range of up to 311 miles.
Available in Prime specification, prices start from £66,450 with orders opening in the spring.
The Movano Hydrogen benefits from more than 20 years of knowledge in the development of Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles at Vauxhall-Opel and Stellantis.
The Movano Hydrogen will complement the existing Vauxhall line-up of battery electric vans – the Combo Electric, Vivaro Electric and Movano Electric.
Vauxhall has offered an electric version across its entire LCV model range since 2021.
Equipped with an electric motor producing maximum power of 150ps, the Movano Hydrogen can store 7kg of hydrogen at 700 bar operating pressure.
Refueling can be done quickly and the vehicle takes less than five minutes to achieve a full charge.
An 11kWh lithium-ion battery provides support when starting or accelerating.
The system enables braking energy to be stored and fed into the battery as electricity via the electric motor working as a generator.
The battery can also be re-charged in approximately 90 minutes using an 11kW AC charger.
The hydrogen version is equipped with an upgraded multimedia navigation system featuring a 10-inch touchscreen with integrated TomTom satellite navigation system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, AM/FM/DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and two USB connections.
Drivers can also operate the infotainment system via natural voice control for added convenience while a seven-inch digital instrument cluster provides driving information.
Interior features include rear parking sensors for effortless manoeuvring, automatic air conditioning, an electric parking brake and twin-lens door mirrors with electrically adjustable and heated upper mirrors.
Last year, Vauxhall began UK customer trials of the Vivaro Hydrogen, which is already sold in left-hand drive markets by Vauxhall’s sister brand, Opel, making it the first commercially available production hydrogen van.
A range of companies, including some of the UK’s largest fleets, are taking part in the trial ahead of the UK launch of the Movano Hydrogen.
Prices for the Movano Hydrogen L3 H2 Panel Van start at £66,450 (exc. VAT, after Plug-in Van Grant), while the L4 H3 Panel Van is available from £68,070.
In other motoring news, fresh features are coming to the display screens on BMW and MINI models with the arrival of the BBC Sounds app.
And on MINIs the systems are being updated with the inclusion of Parkopedia EV charging data into the vehicle via the cars’ circular screen.
Previously listeners needed a smartphone to access BBC Sounds via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
Now drivers of selected models with BMW Operating System 9 or MINI Operating System 9 and a subscription to BMW Digital Premium or the MINI Connected Package, which enables unlimited data connectivity, can stream content from the BBC Sounds app running directly on the vehicle operating system.
More than 50,000 BMW and MINI vehicles on the road in the UK support the new BBC Sounds in-car app, with this figure expected to rise to around 150,000 by the end of 2025.
Meanwhile, the latest generation of electric MINIs is getting the Parkopedia system on its world’s first circular in-car 24cm OLED screen.
Julian Kisch, corporate and governmental affairs spokesperson at MINI, said: “Not only does this service simplify the process of locating EV chargers, but it makes the whole charging experience more in tune with MINI’s brand values.
“The circular OLED media system provides a uniquely fun experience while being able to seamlessly access charging data directly from the vehicle takes the stress out of charging for MINI drivers.”
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