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Back to October 2012 Motorsports News Archive
| 01-10-2012 at 19:00: First Launch Zero-Emissions Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle | |
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Once production begins, Hyundai will be the first global automaker to make and see these types of vehicles for public and private lease. In December 2012, Hyundai will begin production of the ix35 Fuel Cell at its Ulsan manufacturing facility in Korea, with a target of building up to 1,000 vehicles by 2015. Hyundai has already signed contracts with cities in Denmark and Sweden to lease the ix35 Fuel Cell to municipal fleets. Beyond 2015, Hyundai plans limited production of the ix35 Fuel Cell, with a goal of 10,000 units. “The ix35 Fuel Cell is the pinnacle of Hyundai’s advanced engineering and our most powerful commitment to be the industry leader in eco-friendly mobility,” said Vice Chairman Woong Chul Yang, head of Hyundai R&D. “Zero-emissions cars are no longer a dream. Our ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle is here today, and ready for commercial use.” Built with proprietary technology, Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell is powered by hydrogen. A fuel cell stack converts the hydrogen into electricity, which turns the vehicles motor. The only by-product generated by the ix35 Fuel Cell is water. The ix35 Fuel Cell is the halo vehicle in Hyundai’s Blue Drive sub-brand, the badge worn by Hyundai’s cleanest vehicles, including Sonata Hybrid, i20 Blue Drive and BlueOn, Hyundai’s battery-powered i10. As governments around the world step up regulations to reduce carbon output and fossil fuel dependency, zero-emissions mobility solutions such as Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell will become a driving force of change. The ix35 Fuel Cell aligns with the 2009 agreement by the European Union’s G8 countries to reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, and California’s Zero Emission Vehicle regulations. Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell boasts driveability and performance similar to sibling petrol engined ix35 models. The ix35 Fuel Cell offers rapid refuel with hydrogen taking only a few minutes, and can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 12.5 seconds, with a top speed of 160 km/h and a travel range of 588 kilometres without refuelling. Hyundai chose its popular ix35 (also known as Tucson) as the first vehicle to receive fuel cell technology. The ix35 is Hyundai’s second-best-selling model in Europe, behind i30, and was one of the first to display Hyundai’s award-winning Fluidic Sculpture design identity. The ix35 is popular with families and businesses, thanks to its driver-friendly performance and five-passenger seating. Hyundai is encouraged by the actions of several governments, especially in Europe, that have created detailed roadmaps for building a hydrogen infrastructure and are providing necessary investment funding. Hydrogen fuelling stations exist in several European nations and additional ones are being built and planned. Expansion of fuelling stations is also anticipated in Korea and California where Hyundai will supply ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles to public and private fleets. As a true zero-emissions vehicle, the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell is a powerful partner for public and private fleets wanting to eliminate carbon emissions, making a strong and highly visible statement of their efforts to fight climate change. Due to limited vehicle demand, the cost of fuelling a hydrogen vehicle is set artificially rather than by the marketplace. Currently, the cost in Europe is roughly equivalent to AU $12.45 /100 km of driving range. A fully-charged ix35 Fuel Cell takes about 5.6 kg of hydrogen and can travel 588 km, meaning a fill-up costs approximately AU $70. Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell is currently participating in the European Hydrogen Road Tour, organised by the European demonstration program, H2moves. The Road Tour is a multi-city, pan-European display of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology. The ix35 Fuel Cell was selected as a test-drive vehicle for members of the European Parliament in 2011, while Hyundai fuel cells and ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles provided power and transportation for the 2012 Yeosu Expo in Korea. The ix35 Fuel Cell is the result of 14 years and several hundred million euros of research by hundreds of engineers at Hyundai’s fuel cell R&D centre in Mabuk, Korea. The car has logged more than 3.2 million kilometres of road testing in real-world conditions in Europe, Korea and the U.S. In early 2012, a Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell set a range record for hydrogen cars by driving from Oslo to Monaco using only existing fuelling stations. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Mong Koo Chung has made the fuel cell program a top priority for the company, leading its efforts to produce eco-friendly mobility solutions, and be a responsible corporate citizen. The ix35 Fuel Cell Specifications Length4,410 mmWidth1,820 mmHeight1,655 mmDriving range on one fill-up588 kmVehicle efficiency0.96 kgH2/100km Top speed160 km/h (100 mph)Acceleration, 0 to 100 km/h12.5 secondsFuel cell output power100 kWEnergy storage systemBattery, 24 kWFuelHydrogen (700 bar, 5.6 kg)Exhaust gasWater vaporThere are currently no plans to introduce the ix35 FCEV into the Australian market.
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A first in the world is coming from Hyundai Motor Company when the series production of its hydrogen ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle begins by the end of 2012.
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