Five-Point Inspection: Volkswagen Passat HyMotion Research Vehicle

The hardware

It might come as a surprise, but the Passat HyMotion borrows several its components from cars VW already sells. For example, the 134-hp electric motor powering the front wheels is the same unit that the new e-Golf uses. It also sports the same 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack as the Jetta Hybrid. This battery stores extra energy from regenerative braking and offers a small temporary power boost.

But this being a hydrogen powered car, it features some unique hardware too. There are four hydrogen tanks stored beneath the rear passenger seats and just above the rear axle. There’s also the hydrogen fuel cell stack that mixes oxygen with the hydrogen to cause a chemical reaction that generates electricity to power the electric motor.