What were the technical goals and the specific technological
challenges?
We started with four focus topics: No restrictions in off-road
capabilities, maintaining the payload of the basic vehicle, guar-
anteeing a minimum range of 550 km in all weather condi-
tions, and maintaining the robustness of the “workhorse”. For
the show car, the goal was to show that the technology works,
that the fuel cell is best suited to a zero-emissions Grenadier,
and that the goals for potential series production are achiev-
able.
Why did INEOS choose AVL as its partner?
AVL, with its reputation as an innovative, reliable partner that
has been working on the fuel cell for years, made an excellent
choice as a development partner. In addition to the propulsion
system topics, we were also able to fully cover the complete
vehicle topics with AVL as our only partner, since AVL has also
built up a fantastic, experienced complete vehicle develop-
ment department in recent years.
Which innovations were implemented in this vehicle?
In addition to the fuel cell propulsion system in a full off-road-
er, intelligent off-road torque vectoring (“Gecko mode”) and an
electric all-wheel drive (eAWD) were integrated, and a creative
workshop gave birth to many more innovations, which will
give us great pleasure in the future and will set our engineers’
pulses racing… what are they? Let us surprise you, we promise
they won’t be boring.
What was the biggest challenge?
That’s easy: not compromising! Meaning uncompromisingly
bringing together all the challenges involved in developing an
innovative, new propulsion system that is unique in this class
of vehicle.
What approach did INEOS adopt? How was the project set up
and why?
Through calibrating the internal combustion engine propulsion
systems in the basic Grenadier, AVL was already very familiar
with both the vehicle and INEOS Automotive. With BMW we
gained another partner with fuel cell system experience for the
project. Combined with AVL’s propulsion system and complete
vehicle expertise, we were excellently positioned in this trium-
virate for the development and construction of the Grenadier
fuel cell.
How was the cooperation with AVL from INEOS’ point of
view?
In the words of Hans Rosenthal (German TV presenter): “That
was ... great!”. Unfortunately, I can’t get the legendary air jump
on paper now. The vehicle meets expectations and achieves
the goals, and also shows that teams who are motivate,
innovative, and peform excellently can create vehicles that
even exceed all goals and expectations. Everyone was open to
discussion and new ideas throughout the project; in the design
phase, during building, or during testing. People listened, were
interested, willing to learn, respectful, and had an extraordinary
interest in creating an outstanding product. The partnership
between AVL, BMW, and INEOS is based on trust, reliability,
openness, helpfulness, and competence. It is one of the best
teams I have experienced in my 23 years in the automotive
industry! The team is motivated, innovative, and gets things
done. The mixture of ambition, passion, thoroughness,
open-minded thinking, and the necessary “craziness” enabled
the team to develop this vehicle, which exceeds previously
known limits!
How does INEOS see the market changing this decade?
In order to use hydrogen as an energy carrier, it is necessary
for politicians to rethink the topics of energy production, ener-
gy storage, and energy supply in the sense of feeling responsi-
ble for their realization. With this new way of thinking, the im-
plementation of a hydrogen infrastructure is definitely possible
within this decade. With the establishment of the infrastruc-
ture for battery electric vehicles, we have seen how quickly
charging stations can be provided if the right incentives are in
place and the politicians want it to happen. Something com-
parable would be conceivable with a hydrogen infrastructure,
with the difference being that a hydrogen infrastructure would
be easier and cheaper to implement – as can be clearly seen
in the examples of China, Germany, Switzerland, as well as
Korea and Japan.
How will INEOS position itself for the future?
The right technology will continue to be needed for each area
of application in the future. That’s why it’s important to remain
open to different technologies at all times in order to meet
customer needs. We also need to use resources as sparingly
as possible as we work towards zero emissions; comprehen-
sively from the beginning to the end of the product life cycle.
The Grenadier fuel cell and INEOS are ready – now all that is
needed is the infrastructure.
SPECIAL EDITION