Hyundai will be rolling out its second fuel cell SUV next year, one that will set a record by going 800 kilometers (497 miles) on a tank of hydrogen.
The company said at the Geneva Motor Show that the FE Fuel Cell Concept will represent the next generation in hydrogen-powered vehicles.
The Korean automaker says it will be able to tap into years of experience developing fuel cells, with the FE representing its fourth generation of hydrogen fuel cell technology. Compared to its current Hyundai Tucson ix35 Fuel Cell (Tucson Fuel Cell in the U.S.), the fuel cell technology is 20 percent lighter and gains 10 percent greater efficiency. Power density is increasing significantly – by 30 percent – which Hyundai said is behind boosting the car’s range that much.
Besides the fact that it would be the longest range zero emission vehicle, and fuel cell vehicle, out there, the irony is that Hyundai didn’t mention the 800-kilometer range until the very end of its press release.
Another interesting aspect of the announcement is that it will be the second fuel cell SUV that Hyundai will produce, and the second fuel cell SUV out on the market. That implies the Korean automaker sees the functionality and space for extra passengers of an SUV to be up there with the environmental gains supported by zero emissions vehicles.