Hyundai Motor Company's ix35 fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV)
Hyundai Motor Company’s ix35 fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) has been selected by the European Commission backed Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), based in Brussels, for use as a demonstration vehicle and to promote hydrogen fuel cell technology in a real-world environment. The car will be available for testing by Members of the European Parliament, Commissioners, EU Officials and other policy makers.
Bert De Colvenaer, Executive Director of the FCH JU, underlines: “It is very important for us to show the technology we are supporting since years is becoming reality today. It is equally important to offer to people the opportunity to experience for themselves such an innovative car as “seeing is believing”.
FCH JU explains the main constraint being faced in Brussels is to refuel the car with hydrogen. In that respect, we are working in close cooperation with WaterstofNet to ensure access to hydrogen on a permanent basis.
The decision moves Hyundai a step closer to the commercialisation of hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles by 2015. Debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010, the ix35 FCEV features important innovations over previous-generation Hyundai FCEVs, including a 55 percent improvement in driving range and an 80 percent reduction in manufacturing costs.
Chang Kyun Han, President of Hyundai Motor Europe, said: “We are delighted that the Hyundai ix35 FCEV has been chosen by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking as its European demonstration vehicle. Hyundai has become a world-leader in the development of hydrogen powered technology since the introduction our first FCEV in 2000, and we operate a dedicated fuel cell research centre in Korea. We fully support the FCH JU’s efforts to promote the benefits of hydrogen and fuel cell technology to leading policymakers and opinion formers”.
The tank is filled with gaseous hydrogen, 5.6 kg for a full tank which could offer a range of more than 500 km. The car has zero on-road emissions and is silent.
The FCH JU was established as a public-private partnership instrument in 2008. It aims to speed up the development of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies in Europe to enable their commercialisation as of 2015. Current membership includes the European Commission and 56 companies, from multinationals to SMEs represented by the Industry Grouping (NEW-IG), as well as 66 universities and research institutes, represented by the Research Grouping (N.ERGHY) engaging more than 2000 researchers in the field of fuel cells and hydrogen.
(This article primarily compiled using information from an FCH JU press release)
