Fuel-cell vehicles are not yet commercially available, but automakers are already working on the zero-emissions technology, which promises to stop our dependence for mobility on oil.
One of the many carmakers actively working on fuel-cell technology is Hyundai, which today announced that it will display the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) version of its ix35 (Tucson in the States) crossover at UK’s EcoVelocity show that will run from September 8 to 13 at London’s Battersea Power Station.
The ix35 is Hyundai’s third generation FCEV and while its body and interior are exactly the same as the production model, the powertrain is completely different.
Unlike conventional internal combustion engines, whether they are powered by gasoline or diesel, the ix35 FCEV’s only emission is water vapor. It accelerates from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 12.8 seconds, reaches a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h) and has a 360-mile (580 km) range. Moreover, its fuel cell stack can operate at temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius.
Hyundai states that it is moving closer to bringing fuel cell electric vehicles to the market, something that it aims to do in the next few years. The company has already signed a MoU (memorandum of understanding) with four North European countries to provide test fleets of FCEVs, and has already run tests in Korea and Copenhagen.
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