Hyundai is not a newcomer to the fuel cell bandwagons, but now it’s getting ready to make the next step.
Its line-up already includes a fuel cell model in the form of a ix35. However, according to Autocar , it also plans to launch an SUV that will be available only with a hydrogen powerplant and won’t be a variant of an existing model.
According to the head of hydrogen fuel cell research for Hyundai-Kia, Sae-Hoon Kim, “Developing a bespoke car offers clear advantages. For instance, the larger the radiators on a fuel cell car the better, and you can see on the [Toyota] Mirai that they have developed a cooling solution that helps with that scenario.”
It is suggested that it will utilize the underpinnings of an existing vehicle and will be significantly improved compared to the ix35 FCV, mostly due to its new powertrain. The car is expected to have a range of 500 miles (800 km) and a top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h). To put it into perspective, the hydrogen ix35 runs out of juice after 375 miles (600 km) and is a bit slower.
Kim added that fuel cell technology is ideal for certain vehicles, even more so than electric systems. “Battery and fuel cell will co-exist, but fuel cell is the best powertrain for larger vehicles,” he said.
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