THIS IS THE Hyundai Future Eco Fuel Cell Concept, which the manufacturer hopes will foreshadow the next generation of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Fuel cell cars are powered by a battery pack, but unlike other electric vehicles the battery isn’t charged at a roadside outlet. Instead it is powered by electricity generated by a chemical reaction of hydrogen fuel within the cell itself.
The fuel is stored under very high pressure in liquid form in a tank on the vehicle and when the tank runs low you refill it at a specialist hydrogen fuel depot. Filling the tank takes the same amount of time as it would to fill it with petrol or diesel.
(Currently, however, there are none in Ireland and just a small number across Europe.)
The FE Fuel Cell Concept is part of Hyundai’s eco-vehicle program that will see at least 14 new environmentally-focused models introduced by 2020.
Hyundai already produces the ix35 Fuel Cell / Tucson Fuel Cell, which in 2013 became the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen-powered vehicle. It is currently on sale in 17 countries – but not here, as we don’t have the infrastructure. Yet.
When compared with the current system used in the Hyundai Tucson ix35 Fuel Cell, the new FE technology is 20 per cent lighter, 10 per cent more efficient and has a 30 per cent longer range.
In fact, the FE Fuel Cell has a range of more than 800km between refuelling – handy given the current limited hydrogen infrastructure.
The FE Fuel Cell Concept’s only emission is H2O. For those who didn’t pay attention in school, that’s water and the car’s clean and calm design is supposed to emphasise its non-polluting nature.
One of the most notable characteristics of the FE is its internal air humidifier, which recycles water emitted by the car’s clean hydrogen energy circulation to create a more comfortable cabin environment.
Boosting the car’s eco credentials are its portable battery packs, which are charged by the car’s energy output and used to power passenger devices.
Around the back in the boot is an integrated storage and charging area for an electric scooter.
Hyundai Motor is already one of the world’s leaders in hydrogen powered vehicles. It looks like this concept will make it into production too – elements will influence an SUV Fuel Cell model set for launch in 2018, which will feature advanced ‘Hyundai Smart Sense’ driver assistance technologies, alongside an extensive hydrogen-powered range.
But don’t expect to see any of them in Ireland, unless we start to build hydrogen refuelling stations. Germany already has 18 public refuelling stations and South Korea boasts 11.
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