Although Hyundai recently announced that it’s shifting its focus to electric vehicles, Hyundai is not giving up on fuel cell vehicles. Hyundai has previewed its next fuel cell vehicle at an event in Seoul, Korea, with a concept that is near-production-ready.
The new fuel cell vehicle, will keep the SUV body style, like the current Tucson FCEV, but Hyundai hasn’t announced a name for the new model. Under the skin, the new fuel cell vehicle will be powered by Hyundai’s fourth generation fuel cell system, which is now more efficient. The new FCEV SUV boasts an efficiency level of 60%, or a 9% increase from the Tucson Fuel Cell’s 55.3%. Hyundai estimates that it will have a driving range of 500 miles on the New European Driving Cycle.
The new model’s maximum output is improved by 20% compared to its predecessor with 161 horsepower. The fuel cell SUV also improves the car’s cold start capability, overcoming the challenges of starting fuel cell vehicles in temperatures below freezing point. There are also significant improvements in tank storage density and the tank package now features three equally-sized tanks, as opposed to two of different sizes.
Hyundai doesn’t have a name yet for the new FCEV, but it will spearhead Hyundais plans to accelerate development of low emission vehicles, with the renewed goal of introducing 31 eco-friendly Kia and Hyundai models globally by 2020.
Source: Hyundai
