Hyundai's bold new hydrogen concept EV gives us a glimpse of its future, but the tech still has a long way to go

Date:
Thu, 31 Oct 2024 14:33:04 +0000

Description:
Previews new production fuel cell EV with 400-mile range

FULL STORY ======================================================================Initium concept showcases new design direction for fuel cell vehicles Production is scheduled to begin next year SUV shape is a ploy to prove hydrogen is robust and safe for everyday use

Hyundai has lifted the lid on its latest hydrogen fuel cell concept, which features all-new fuel cell electric vehicle technology (FCEV) for improved range, performance and durability.

Destined to replace the Nexo, Hyundais long-serving but relatively slow-selling FCEV, the Initial concept showcases a bold new design direction that will house the latest technology.

Despite a global push for pure electric vehicles, Hyundai is one of the few automakers that is fully committed to hydrogen as a source of fuel for both future passenger cars, as well as an array of commercial vehicles, including buses, trucks and even construction equipment. (Image credit: Future)

The Initium concept takes the form of a rugged SUV, complete with a new Art
of Steel design language that chief designer SangYup Lee says is both solid and safe. Apparently, the + inspired graphic that you see in the light signature and the bumper will become a stable part of the companys FCEV passenger cars of the future.

It borrows much off its face from the retro-futuristic N Vision 74 concept, a car that showcased hydrogens role in high-performance EVs. Initium is a continuation of this but wrapped up in a more consumer-friendly, SUV package.

Massive 21-inch wheels are covered in bespoke aerodynamic covers and wrapped in low rolling resistance tires, while a rugged roof rack houses integrated front lamps and taillights. (Image credit: Hyundai)

The rear section has a feint whiff of Pontiac Aztek about it, although the
LED lighting signature moves things on from Walter White chic. The four cubes at the front and rear apparently morse code for the letter H, signifying both Hyundai and hydrogen.

According to Jin Huang Jung, head of vehicle development at Hyundai, 220V Vehicle-to-Load technology allows the fuel cell stack, dubbed a portable
green energy source, to power everything from outdoor cookers to appliances
in the home. Theres no need for an adaptor either, as the external socket is designed to take Korean plugs.

Hyundais 27 years in hydrogen fuel cell research has resulted in the next generation of fuel cell stacks that it believes moves the game on from the early units found in the marques ground-breaking Tucson IX35, which offered a range of around 258-miles, and the Nexo of 2018, which increased that range
to 414 miles in later iterations. (Image credit: Future)

The next generation fuel cell vehicle, which will go into production next year, is aiming for a range in excess of 400 miles, which is not exactly the huge increase many expected. But with increased hydrogen density aboard its tanks and an electric motor that is now capable of developing 150kW or
around 200bhp as opposed to 120kW.

The 0-62mph is now pegged at eight seconds, over a second faster than Nexo.

More importantly, Hyundai says the systems durability has been drastically improved, reducing the overall degradation of the fuel cell stack to ensure
it delivers the claimed range and performance for the vehicles lifespan.

Hyundai says it has also developed an FCEV-specific route planner that, much like those systems that hunt down an electric vehicle charging station, can plot an optimal route from within the infotainment system, finding hydrogen charging stations along the way without having to access a separate app. Analysis: Hydrogen still has a long way to go (Image credit: Hyundai)

According to Hyundai engineers, it costs around $23million to set-up a public hydrogen refueling station.

Despite this, South Korea hopes to grow its public charging stations from the 192 available today, to well over 600 by 2030. This will help it service the 40,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles it currently has on the roads.

However, the number of fueling stations in other key markets makes for depressing reading. There are just 100 in North America and 265 in Europe. In the UK, the number of hydrogen fueling stations is actually dwindling, not growing.

Producing and transporting hydrogen is also an expensive business, making the whole process costly and more complex than simply recharging batteries. Even handling a hydrogen fueling nozzle, which delivers the gas at a massive
350bar pressure, requires heavy lifting and a knowledge of the process.
(Image credit: Future)

There are also big questions over sustainability, as a hydrogen fuel cell stack is also complex and requires the use of raw earth materials. Couple
this with the fact they also require a standard automotive battery pack to function, albeit a much smaller one than a typical EV, and it presents a
major problem when it comes to recycling and the end-of-life process.

Jin Huang Jung, Hyundai's head of vehicle development, states that the
company was developing strategies to recycle elements of the fuel cell stack at the end of its life, but recognized that there were no programs to reuse them like there are with typically EV battery packs.

There are also many issues surrounding the business of producing hydrogen that, if not done using clean energy sources like wind or solar, requires a huge amount of CO2-producing energy. (Image credit: Hyundai)

But Hyundais HTWO vision goes beyond merely developing hydrogen-powered vehicles, as its plan is to create a circular economy where hydrogen is produced from biomass and plastic waste, distributed via its fleet of hydrogen-powered trucks and then used by everything from trams to even eVTOL craft .

The company already has a successful program running in the port of Oakland, California, where some 30 Class 8 Xcient fuel cell hydrogen-powered trucks
are helping it reduce its carbon output without impacting payload abilities
or halting operations with lengthy charging stops.

Hyundai sees hydrogen as an important part of the futures energy mix, but the technology, despite being some 27 years old, still feels very much in its infancy where passenger cars are concerned. You might also like Inside Hyundais new sci-fi smart factory where you can order a car with your smartphone and drive it away in hours Hyundai patent suggests the company is moving wireless EV charging roads to the next level Millions of Kia cars
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/hyundais-bold- new-hydrogen-concept-ev-gives-us-a-glimpse-of-its-future-but-the-tech-still-ha s-a-long-way-to-go


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