Hydrogen Vans

Hydrogen vans are based on the same concepts of any other hydrogen cars and SUVs. The one caveat is that hydrogen vans are built, in general, to carry heavier payloads. Much development is being done in Europe in regards to hydrogen vans, particularly in Germany. In 2002, Norway received its first hydrogen vans from Germany under a joint German-American project. In 2003, the U. S. Department of Energy received its first German hydrogen van, a 1998 Mercedes Sprinter.

The hydrogen Sprinter was built in Hamburg, Germany with a converted 2.4 liter gasoline engine, then exported to the U. S. for field testing. The Mercedes Sprinter fuel cell van had three 3,600 psi hydrogen tanks and operated using pure hydrogen, unlike some other H2 vehicles that were being concurrently tested using a mixture of compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen.

DaimlerChrysler has also hooked up with UPS, the world's largest parcel delivery service in a joint venture to develop hydrogen vans. In a meeting between DaimlerChrysler, UPS and the United States EPA in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2003, a decision was made to commercially test the fuel cell Sprinter.

According to Dr. Rolf Bartke, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans at DaimlerChrysler, "Looking to the future, fuel cell technology is the most promising alternative drive concept, which is why DaimlerChrysler is not only interested in establishing its expertise in this field, but also in encouraging its practical application in collaboration with select customers. This Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a vision of the future for this century's innovative courier service, environmentally friendly and quiet. In it, DaimlerChrysler offers its customers the opportunity to be one of the front runners and to familiarize themselves with the latest innovations at an early stage."

Hydrogen vans give business and enterprise the chance to test new technology in real world conditions before wide-scale use of hydrogen vehicles are adopted. With bragging rights up for grabs, some forward-thinking corporations are ready to jump on board the hydrogen van bandwagon, knowing that future marketing opportunities can be wrapped around saying that they were first to adopt this new technology.