Renault has created a hydrogen station wagon with a battery pack

The rear-wheel-drive Renault Emblème is a hybrid, but not the kind we’re used to. Renault aims to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040 and globally by 10 years later. To that end, the company is redoubling its efforts to develop battery electric vehicles, but is also confident about the future of hydrogen cars. Emblème, unveiled as a demonstration vehicle, combines both approaches. Like the new Honda CR-V e, it combines a hydrogen fuel cell and a rechargeable battery.

Honda CR-V e.

Design and aerodynamics features

The French company calls the Emblème a «schouting break» although some might argue that it has too many doors for this body type. Regardless of the body style, Emblème is an aerodynamics-oriented concept with a drag coefficient of only 0.25. It differs significantly from the production models, and it is hoped that some of the designs will be used in future production cars. The Emblème is a large concept despite being described as a compact car: it measures 189 inches (4.8 meters) in length and just 59.9 inches (1.52 meters) in height, giving it a sleek, streamlined profile.

The Emblème is a large concept car, with a length of just 189 inches (4.8 meters) and a height of just 59.9 inches (1.52 meters), giving it an elegant, streamlined profile.

Hydrogen and battery pack combination

Renault claims that Emblème can travel up to 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) «as fast as an internal combustion engine car». That claim assumes two stops to refuel the 2.8-kilogram hydrogen tank, assuming a refueling station can be found, as there were about 1,000 of them worldwide at the end of last year. Each refueling takes less than five minutes, and a full tank lasts for 217 miles (350 kilometers). In urban conditions, the Emblème behaves like an electric car thanks to a 40 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery.

Nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) technology.

According to calculations, a full battery charge should last for 187 miles (300 kilometers), considering that by making two stops to refuel with hydrogen, the driver can cover 434 miles (700 kilometers). Emblème has rear-wheel drive thanks to 215-horsepower electric motor mounted at the rear. This wound rotor motor does not use rare earth metals.

Emblème

Lightweight and eco-friendly

Despite its complex powertrain, Emblème is lighter than most conventional hybrids and electric cars. Renault claims a curb weight of 3,858 pounds (1,750 kilograms) after engineers tried to «get rid of every excess kilogram». All these efforts were aimed at making the station wagon as environmentally friendly as possible. Emissions, calculated «from cradle to grave», have been reduced by 90% compared with cars of a similar size.

The car’s emissions have been reduced by «90% compared with cars of a similar size.

Public Premiere

The concept car will be unveiled to the public at the Paris Motor Show 2024, which will be held from October 14 to 20, and we may get to see the interior as well.

Paris Motor Show 2024.