Hyundai is expected to launch a hydrogen-powered electric car (hydrogen fuel cell car) which can run up to 580 kilometers (1,700 miles) of hydrogen fuel once it is filled. Launch is planned for March next year. The Hyundai-Kia Motor Group also announced the goal of achieving the second-place sales of eco-friendly cars worldwide by releasing 31 kinds of eco-friendly cars including hydrogen cars and electric cars by 2020.

Hyundai first unveiled its next-generation hydrogen car at the 63rd convention center in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on August 17. The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV), slightly larger than conventional Tucson hydrogen cars, is equipped with a 60% efficiency system that is higher than the conventional fuel cell system efficiency of 55.3%. This means that even if you use less hydrogen fuel that it can produce more electricity. According to Hyundai, the new hydrogen car is being developed to run at 580 kilometers, compared to the existing Tucson hydrogen car, which runs 415 kilometers after one full fuel injection. The maximum output is also 163 hp, about 20% higher than the previous Tucson.

Hyundai developed its core technology of hydrogen fuel cell system and announced that it increased the localization rate of hydrogen car parts to 98%. As a result, it was expected that it would be effective to lower the price of hydrogen cars by building a consistent production system for vehicle parts. The company also added fuel cell durability for 10 years or 160,000 km.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motors plans to unveil the hydrogen car by February next year. However, it is expected to be released six months earlier than planned, and the mass-production period advanced earlier. Hyundai is the first company that made the world`s first hydrogen-fuel cell car that it was commercialized in 2013, but it is interpreted to overturn Toyota`s reputation for its performance and price competitiveness.

Hyundai has been researching and developing hydrogen cars since 1998, and it produced the first-generation hydrogen car Tucson ix in 2013, the first in the world. However, it failed to popularize it due to the high price and lack of charging facilities. The initial price of this car exceeded KRW 100 million, and the charger was only 10 cases nationwide.

Meanwhile, Toyota and Honda began to lead the hydrogen car industry with the support of the Japanese government. Toyota launched Mirai in March 2014, a hydrogen electric car. Mirai, the first sedan model on the hydrogen lane, was driven by the US at a distance of 502 km, and the price was set at KRW 68 million ~ 74 million, 70% of the Tucson ix. Here, the Japanese government has supported 100 charging stations. As a result, it sold over 1,000 units in the past year, surpassing the cumulative sales of Tucson ix. Honda`s hydrogen car Clarity, which can run up to 589km in March last year, has come to Honda and the hydrogen car initiative has been transferred to Japan.

Ryu Chang-seung, chief marketing officer of Hyundai Motors, mentioned, "As the first company in the world to mass-produce hydrogen cars, we plan to take the lead in the market. We will minimize the inconvenience to buyers by participating in the hydrogen fusion alliance promotion team to expand the hydrogen filling facility."

Meanwhile, the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group stated that they will launch 31 types of eco-friendly cars by 2020, including 10 hybrids, 11 plug-in hybrids, 8 electric cars and 2 hydrogen electric cars. This is more than doubled from the 14-product line this year. Through this, the companies aimed to achieve the second place in sales of environmentally friendly cars in the world.

By Kim Yang-hyuk mj@dt.co.kr



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