Production of the Opel Vivaro-e HYDROGEN and sister models within the Stellantis Group has commenced in Rüsselsheim, Germany. They are produced by the Opel Special Vehicles (OSV) unit.
Opel and Stellantis benefit from more than 20 years of experience in the development of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. In addition, Opel has more than two decades of experience in alternative fuels, such as CNG (compressed natural gas) and LPG (liquified petroleum gas).
The 1,500 square-metre production facility with 70 highly qualified employees can build several hundred units of the zero emissions vehicle per year.
The skilled and flexible OSV workforce also supported engineering during the development phase of the current product and the build of prototypes. The know-how gained in Rüsselsheim will be used for future volume production in plants.
The plug-in fuel cell concept of the Vivaro-e HYDROGEN enables the installation of the whole fuel cell system and the traction motor under the bonnet of the vehicle. The battery providing dynamic peak power and regenerative braking is fitted under the seats in the passenger compartment.
The 700-bar hydrogen tank system providing hydrogen to the fuel cell is installed underneath the vehicle where the traction battery of the Vivaro-e battery electric vehicle is located.