Riversimple reveals plans for two new hydrogen vehicles

The Welsh manufacturer intends to built a four-seater saloon and a light commercial vehicle to compliment the two-seater Rasa

After handing a UK debut to its Rasa at the London Motor Show, UK-based company Riversimple plans to bring two more hydrogen-fuelled vehicles to market in the future, in a bid to help normalise the high-tech hydrogen fuel. While the Rasa is a bare-bones two seater, the company has shown off pictures of a concept four-seater and a small van.

Both cars use the same simple design language as the Rasa but bring their own unique styling cues, thanks to designer Chris Reitz, who also penned the Fiat 500. The four-seater saloon is sleek and futuristic, with a cut-off Kammback profile to boost efficiency. Standard doors would be far too boring, of course, so instead, the car features front and rear scissor doors which open in opposite directions. Covered rear wheels and bold, high-set taillights complete the space-age look.

The other offering is altogether more utilitarian, but Riversimple has thrown out the styling rulebook for commercial vehicles to create a really striking van design. A stepped window line, blunt nose, and interesting quarterlight on the roof all add to the futuristic appeal, but the overall body shape is still square and practical, and could be ideal for smaller businesses needing transportation in and around cities.

Underneath, it looks like both hydrogen-powered vehicles would be based on the same platform as the Rasa, so we’d expect that car’s 300-mile range to drop slightly due to the added weight – unless designers take advantage of the extra space on offer to fit a larger hydrogen tank.

Beta testing of the Riversimple Rasa is set to begin later this year, but it’s great to see the company continuing to look forward.

Would you buy one of these hydrogen-powered vehicles? Let us know in the comments below...