‘First of its kind’ | US firm unveils hydrogen-battery hybrid car with range of over 1,000km

Revo Zero is currently accepting pre-orders for its plug-in hybrid passenger vehicle, named the "model Energy," without disclosing information about the manufacturing location or timeframe. The Virginia-based start-up claims that the vehicle, equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell and a battery, offers an impressive range of 700 miles (1,127 km).

The primary power source for Revo Zevo's model Energy is the battery, with the hydrogen fuel cell stepping in to extend the vehicle's range. The company describes this as having an on-board charger that operates while the car is in motion, maintaining the battery charge and resulting in an extended range of 700 miles.

In a departure from conventional plug-in hybrids that typically use a fossil fuel-powered internal combustion engine, Revo Zero employs what it touts as "first of its kind pFC technology." This innovative approach utilizes hydrogen as the supporting power source, integrated into a unit containing a fuel cell from US specialist Nuvera and a battery. According to Revo Zero, refueling with hydrogen can be accomplished in as little as seven minutes.

Critics, however, argue that hydrogen (H2) is inefficient and expensive for use in passenger cars. Most analyses have focused on vehicles solely powered by H2 in fuel cells or internal combustion engines, with recent findings from Hydrogen Insight indicating that it is 14 times more expensive to operate a hydrogen-powered vehicle compared to a Tesla equivalent in California.

Despite these concerns, Revo Zero is currently accepting fully-refundable $500 deposits for a limited run of model Energy vehicles. The company, however, has not provided details on the availability or pricing of the units.

While the final production date remains undetermined, Revo Zero assures potential buyers that it is diligently testing and adhering to safety regulations. Pre-order customers will receive notifications about the vehicle's readiness and finalized pricing.

Launched in 2021, Revo Zero positions itself as a technology company involved in hydrogen production, refueling infrastructure, and the development of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).