Report: Hyundai to boost production of new fuel cell vehicle 15x to 3,600 units
20 June 2017
Citing “industry sources,” Business Korea reports that Hyundai has decided to boost production of a new fuel cell vehicle (earlier post)—to be released early next year—by 15 times to 3,600 units.
Hyundai sold 242 fuel cell vehicles last year; Toyota, the market leader with its Mirai, is targeting 3,000 fuel cell vehciles sold this year. Hyundai’s decision, according to the report, is part of an effort to check Toyota and to promote fuel cell vehicles.
Hyundai Motor unveiled the futuristic FE Fuel Cell Concept at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. The FE Concept showcases Hyundai Motor’s fourth-generation of hydrogen fuel cell technology, an evolution of research, development and real-world evaluation programs around the world.
When compared with the current generation system used in the Tucson ix35 Fuel Cell, the new technology is 20% lighter, and achieves 10% greater efficiency. In addition, the power density of the fuel cell stack is increased by 30%, boosting the car’s range significantly.
The FE is designed to run for more than 800 kilometers (497 miles) between refueling, acknowledging the current limited hydrogen infrastructure. Elements of the FE Fuel Cell Concept will influence an SUV Fuel Cell model set for launch in 2018, which will feature advanced Hyundai Smart Sense driver assistance technologies, alongside an extensive hydrogen-powered range.
Hyundai Motor launched the Tucson ix FCEV in 2013 and sold 27 units the same year. The company had sold a total of 666 units through the end of last year. Toyota sold 2,843 units of the Mirai through the end of last year.
Hyundai Motor expects demand for fuel cell vehicles to grow in the US, China and Europe. The Chinese government is planning to supply 5,000 FCEVs and install 100 charging stations by 2020. California and Germany will set up 100 and 400 charging stations by 2024 and 2025, respectively.
The number of registered FCEVs in Korea stood at 128 as of May this year.
These +++++ changes for near future Hyundai increased FCEV production is more than expected. All those improvements will take their FCEV to 500+ Km range, reducing average fills to every 10 days or so?
All new H2 stations planned for California, Germany, China, Japan, S0-Korea etc will be more than required as early as 2018-2019?
Many H2 stations will have to be installed.
Posted by: HarveyD | 20 June 2017 at 10:47 AM
In effect a hydrogen car is the same as burning hydrocarbons in the air because hydrogen is created by reforming fossil fuels. Hydrogen from water is a dream and has proven to be impractical in the real world.
The only application that makes sense is using it in airplanes to reduce jet engine caused pollution of the atmosphere.
Hydrogen is pushed by the oil companies so they can continue to sell fossil fuels (the status quo) and continue to control the U.S. politicians, thus the country.
Posted by: Lad | 20 June 2017 at 04:14 PM
Lad said:
'In effect a hydrogen car is the same as burning hydrocarbons in the air because hydrogen is created by reforming fossil fuels. '
Why do you continue to make that claim when you know very well that in California 33% of hydrogen for transport is mandated to come from renewables and 100% in Denmark and Norway?
And:
' Hydrogen from water is a dream and has proven to be impractical in the real world.'
They are doing it right now in the US, and many other places, using renewables which would otherwise be wasted.
Why you should continue to claim things that you know very well to be false is a mystery.
Posted by: Davemart | 21 June 2017 at 01:05 AM
I haven't read any concerns of the supply of hydrogen. The tack of R&D opens the window as well as regenerative power. Yes, currently it is cheaper to obtain hydrogen from natural gas as the gas does contain a good portion. Even coal and wood combustion has considerable hydrogen stream. Catalyst technology is really progressing. Read the CU catalyst post above that grows single crystal CU 600x larger than what was possible. They are headed in a direction to commercialize the CO2 to ethanol process. That would make the ethanol process plant CO2 free and up production of ethanol.
Posted by: Trees | 21 June 2017 at 04:03 AM
Making H2 at the fueling point with renewable energy can be done. There are many ways to look at benefits other than just economic.
Posted by: SJC | 21 June 2017 at 09:26 AM
Why someone here is speading the fake news that politicians are controlled by oil companies while it is plain obvious that the goverment is PUSCHING toward windmills, batteries, hybrid plug-in, ethanol, solar panels, carbon capture, carbon taxes, no pipelines permits. Only trumps and pruitt in the entire world is easying the life of big oil a little bit but he is not Pusching really oil companies.
Stop the brainwash. I still need gasoline and motor oil and petroleum made rubber tires for my upcoming Hyundai accent 2014 6 speeds with 1.6 liter gdi engine.
Posted by: gorr | 22 June 2017 at 08:58 PM
Considering i live across from Hyndai NA HQ, we get the best tech here first. Fountain valley has a closed loop wastewater to tap system in place, 1st in country, with a H2 pump out front.
H2 is derived from the natural gas produced during bio treating the water. Game changer Once this catches on that our waste water plants can be fueling stations. The plants will be profit centers for municipalities and convert their fleets. Big Oil better jump on board biofuels quick or get left holding worthless oil reserves.
Posted by: solarsurfer | 23 June 2017 at 01:18 PM