Automotive startup Namx has revealed its first production-bound model, the HUV, a hydrogen-powered SUV designed by the Italian design house Pininfarina. The project combines an unconventional fuel delivery concept with a focus on green hydrogen, aiming to address both environmental concerns and the persistent infrastructure challenges that have slowed fuel-cell adoption.
At the core of the HUV’s proposition is a dual refuelling architecture. Alongside a conventional fixed hydrogen tank, the vehicle integrates six removable capsules, each weighing about 8 kilograms. These capsules can be swapped in seconds, offering drivers an alternative to traditional pump refuelling. The system allows hydrogen to be supplied through two channels: filling the main tank and capsules at a station, or purchasing pre-filled capsules from retail outlets. According to Namx, this approach could extend the operational reach of hydrogen vehicles in regions where fuelling stations remain sparse.
The capsules were a central element of Pininfarina’s design brief. At a preview event in Italy, they were described as resembling “high-end luggage” rather than industrial fuel containers, reflecting an emphasis on user-friendly handling and integration into the vehicle’s aesthetic. This design choice underscores the company’s ambition to make hydrogen mobility not only practical but also appealing to consumers accustomed to the convenience of liquid fuels.
Faouzi Annajah, founder and president of Namx, stated, “Our belief and our conviction is to promote green hydrogen, an energy that does not create carbon dioxide as it comes from renewable sources.” He added, “Hydrogen fuel cells are an energy capable of filling up in four minutes and powering journeys of more than 800km, with a fuel-cell battery that is 10 times smaller than that of traditional electric vehicles. Our mission is to generalise the use of green hydrogen in the vehicles that we produce.”
From a performance standpoint, Namx plans two variants of the HUV. The entry-level rear-wheel-drive model will deliver 300 horsepower, a top speed of 200 km/h, and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 6.5 seconds. The higher-spec GTH version will feature four-wheel drive, 550 horsepower, a 250 km/h top speed, and a 4.5-second sprint to 100 km/h. Both versions are slated for market launch in the fourth quarter of 2025, with pricing between €65,000 and €95,000 depending on configuration.
The swappable capsule concept addresses a key bottleneck in hydrogen adoption: infrastructure readiness. As of mid-2022, Europe’s hydrogen refuelling network remains limited, with most stations concentrated in a few countries such as Germany and France. By enabling capsule exchange at retail locations, Namx could bypass the need for drivers to rely solely on fixed stations, potentially accelerating consumer uptake.
From an engineering perspective, the modular capsule design introduces considerations in safety, sealing, and high-pressure containment. Hydrogen storage typically requires pressures up to 700 bar, demanding robust composite materials and precision-engineered valves to prevent leaks. The portability of the capsules also raises questions about thermal management and secure transport, areas where aerospace-derived composite tank technology could play a role.
The HUV’s fuel-cell system benefits from hydrogen’s high gravimetric energy density, which allows for long range without the mass penalties of large lithium-ion battery packs. The claim of a fuel-cell battery “10 times smaller” than that of a conventional EV aligns with industry observations that fuel-cell stacks and smaller buffer batteries can deliver comparable range with reduced weight, improving vehicle dynamics.
Namx’s market entry comes at a time when the automotive sector is divided over hydrogen’s role in passenger transport. Some established manufacturers view fuel cells as complementary to battery-electric vehicles, particularly for long-distance and heavy-duty applications, while others are focusing exclusively on battery electrification. This divergence has created space for startups to experiment with alternative architectures and business models, much as early EV pioneers did a decade earlier.
The company’s decision to debut the HUV at the Paris Motor Show later in the year suggests confidence in both the technical maturity of its design and its appeal to a European audience increasingly attentive to sustainability. If successful, the capsule-swapping model could influence not only automotive hydrogen strategies but also broader applications in mobility sectors where rapid refuelling and distributed supply chains are critical.