INEOS’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe says ”EV demand has dried up” and UK needs to back hydrogen
INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe believes that EV’s are great for city driving and short journeys, but not so great when it comes to long journeys, countryside driving or any heavier than average vehicle.
An article published in The Telegraph offers an interesting insight into the future decisions that INEOS plan to make as an organisation.
INEOS Fusilier EV
It’s no surprise that within a couple of weeks of Sir Jim’s article being published, INEOS have made a huge U-turn on their decision to build their highly-anticipated, all-electric 4×4, the Fuselier.
Not only have they paused the production, they’ve paused it indefinitely.
Britain’s fourth richest man went on to say, “Hydrogen fuel is clearly an interesting option for larger vehicles either in the form of a hydrogen fuel cell or direct burn hydrogen engines” but, “the world needs to install the necessary infrastructure”.
INEOS isn’t new to the hydrogen gig, they are already at the forefront of the hydrogen development landscape across the UK, positioning themselves as playing a leading role in the hydrogen revolution.
INEOS Hydrogen
To demonstrate INEOS commitment to a zero-emissions future, they recently developed a hydrogen powered version of their Grenadier 4×4. Fitted with a fuel-cell power plant from BMW, the clean 4×4 emits nothing but water vapour out of the tailpipe.
In trials that lasted over two years, INEOS Automotive CEO, Lynn Calder, said: “It’s capable of doing everything a conventionally-powered Grenadier can do, but with zero emissions.”
In addition to the work INEOS are doing within their factory walls, INEOS are also committing to building consumer knowledge on hydrogen by spending significantly on marketing materials across the UK through digital advertising and billboards.
Those looking to see the UK’s motoring industry entirely electrified might not be too pleased with INEOS’s recent change of plan.
Time will tell if the future Fusilier will be built with a hydrogen powertrain, but the simple reality of lack of infrastructure across the UK would need to be addressed before we see any on the road.
