Hydrogen, the universe’s most abundant element, sits alongside electricity as the automotive industry’s fuel alternative, and Australia is leading the charge. H2X, an Australian-founded company, has pulled the veil off its offering to the hydrogen vehicle industry, a fuel cell electric ute called the Warrego. This beast runs on the greenest energy and has the guts to take on the roughest terrains.
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H2X Warrego 90XR | Image: H2X Global
The Warrego is more than just a carbon-conscious piece of kit. It’s a lean, green, 4WD machine ready for whatever your lifestyle demands, whether for work or play. The Warrego 90XR rocks an AWD FCEV Hybrid drive system, punches out 260 KW of motor power, and boasts a fuel cell peak power of 60 KW. This bad boy has a battery pack power of 30 KW/h, with a supercap power of 416V, 8kw, 2.6 K amps. Its hydrogen capacity will get you a solid 450km of travel, with a carrying capacity of 1,000kg in the tray and 2,500kg towing. It’ll also hit 100km/h in just over 8 seconds.
Before planning your next road trip, remember that the Warrego isn’t your average mass-production ride. As a proof of concept for hydrogen vehicles, H2X has confirmed that each Warrego will need to be tailored to the customer’s needs. In other words, the specifics of each car could change slightly based on your preferences and requirements.
Design-wise, the Warrego does look eerily familiar, with a silhouette that mirrors the new Toyota Tacoma, which in itself is a take on the Ford Ranger. With an established frame like that to bounce off, the new hydrogen release is firming as an enticing premise, particularly as the country grapples with challenging electric vehicle charging conditions.
H2X Warrego 90XR | Image: H2X Global
H2X’s display of the Warrego at the global hydrogen industry meet-up in Rotterdam was quite a spectacle, according to coverage by the AFR. The crowd, consisting of keen enthusiasts and curious onlookers, couldn’t help but be drawn to the unique sight of a converted Ford Ranger fitted with a hydrogen motor under the hood.
The need for a worldwide network of hydrogen fuelling stations is a challenge. But, H2X is positioning the Warrego towards professional fleet owners who can establish refuelling bases. With this strategy, H2X aims to lay the groundwork for larger-scale production once a comprehensive hydrogen-vehicle refuelling infrastructure is in place.
H2X co-founder, Chris Reitz, stated that the company initially plans to integrate its hydrogen power trains into models like the Ford Ranger. However, don’t expect to see a swarm of Warregos on the road soon. According to Reitz, this green machine is more of a “calling card,” a demonstrator product, hinting at bigger plans on the horizon.
H2X Warrego 90XR | Image: H2X Global
H2X isn’t just dipping its toes in the hydrogen-powered vehicle pool; the brand is planning a splash with the production of a 3.5-tonne van called the Darling, potentially as soon as 2026. The prototypes are currently being developed in Germany and the Netherlands, with production expected to reach up to 70,000 vehicles per year.
H2X is also working in Sweden to install hydrogen engines into 18-tonne and 26-tonne trucks. They even have a contract to supply hydrogen-powered garbage trucks in Gothenburg, where a council-owned hydrogen filling station is already operating.
H2X Warrego 90XR | Image: H2X Global
With a vision to set up production plants in each country where there is substantial demand, H2X is looking to disrupt the traditional vehicle manufacturing model. After all, why ship vehicles around the globe when you can make them right where they’re needed?
While not intended for mass production, the Warrego clearly indicates that the hydrogen revolution is no longer a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’. Despite the current obstacles facing hydrogen-powered vehicles, the H2X Warrego is a pioneering force proving that a future of ‘green’ power can pack a punch. Now it’s just a matter of time before we see this green revolution hit the mainstream.
