Hyundai Motor enters MoU with H2 Energy for 1,000 heavy-duty fuel-cell trucks and renewable hydrogen
21 September 2018
Hyundai Motor Company has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Swiss hydrogen company H2 Energy (H2E). Beginning in 2019 and over a five-year period, Hyundai Motor and H2 Energy will provide 1,000 heavy-duty fuel cell electric trucks (earlier post) and an adequate supply chain for renewable hydrogen.
The fuel cell electric truck is being developed according to European regulations. It features a new 190 kW hydrogen fuel cell system with two fuel cell systems connected in parallel, also a feature of NEXO. It is expected to deliver a single-fueling travel range of approximately 400 km (249 miles), and in order to secure sufficient range, eight large hydrogen tanks are being compactly installed, utilizing areas such as between the cabin and the rigid body.
The fuel cell electric truck features a distinctive design. It is presented in a simple and clean design which is also aerodynamically efficient, and features a spoiler and side protector.
The front grille symbolizes hydrogen through geometric shapes, giving the vehicle a unique and powerful look. The vehicle emanates an eco-friendly look with a blue color application and a bold side body graphic on the container, which also visualizes its dynamic character.
The supply of a fleet of fuel-cell electric trucks to H2 Energy marks Hyundai Motor’s first expansion of its FCEV leadership into the eco-friendly commercial vehicle sector. Hyundai introduced the world’s first mass-produced fuel cell electric vehicle, the Tucson Fuel Cell in 2013, and released NEXO FCEV this year.
The MOU signing ceremony took place in the IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018 exhibition’s convention center and was attended by key individuals from each company, including Hyundai Motor’s Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Division, In Cheol Lee, as well as Chairman of H2E, Rolf Huber.
H2 Energy is a company specializing in the production and supply of renewable hydrogen in Switzerland, with business subsidiaries in Germany, Norway and Austria. The company is experienced in the roll-out of an optimized hydrogen ecosystem, which focuses on commercial viability for all stakeholders.
H2 Energy plans to make Hyundai’s fuel cell electric trucks available to its Swiss customers starting with the dedicated members of the Swiss H2 Association, which includes several refueling-station operators, retailers and other customers focusing on eco-friendly innovative solutions for logistics and goods distribution.
To cater to growing opportunities in the sector, Hyundai plans to diversify its fuel cell electric commercial vehicle line-up. Currently under development is the medium-sized fuel cell electric truck (Payload: 4~5 ton) which can be used in the public services domain such as vehicles used for cleaning.
Hyundai Motor also introduced fuel cell electric express buses during the PyeongChang Olympics in South Korea last February and is currently conducting a pilot operation with fuel cell electric buses in South Korea’s major cities, whilst reviewing plans for mass production by 2020.
Domestically, FCEV taxis and car-sharing services are operating on public roads in Ulsan and Gwangju.
Hyundai Motor began the first fuel cell electric vehicle lease in the United States, also supporting its wider transport industry, including FCEV taxis, and car-sharing services to further support the spread of eco-friendly technology usage.
For cities, these are massively better than BEVs, which although they have no exhaust emissions, still have tire wear and some brake wear in spite of regen.
Both of those apply to FCEVs too, of course, but they clean and filter the air to provide a sufficiently clean supply for the FC stack.
So a single FCEV car takes out not only its own emissions, but around two diesel car's worth, and an FCEV bus one heck of a lot more.
Here is a video at Fully Charged, where he drives a Nexo and rides in an FCEV bus, and discusses air purification at some length:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW7TFXwduYY
For buses and taxis I am now fully persuaded that FCEVs are the way to go, as they would make a huge difference to air quality in cities, and do not have the range limitations of BEV, especially in the cold.
Posted by: Davemart | 21 September 2018 at 04:16 AM
For some reason, I wandered off into buses from trucks!
I blame my diet, not allowing me to have my first cup of coffee until 12!
Apologies.
FCEV trucks in Switzerland will help keep the mountain air pure though, as diesels don't do a lot of good to it.
Posted by: Davemart | 21 September 2018 at 04:22 AM
A hand to Hyundai for a great design for med-size FC trucks.
Yes, H2 made with renewable energy + high efficiency FCs is an excellent solution for small and large vehicles to replace current polluting diesel units.
Are two smaller FCs more efficient and/or convenient than one larger FC? Is it to share the same mass produced smaller FC on different vehicle sizes?
Posted by: HarveyD | 21 September 2018 at 07:48 AM
I don't know if they actually do this, but with two smaller FC's they could run just one when low output is required, increasing efficiency.
There is no efficiency gain from larger stacks compared to smaller ones, AFAIK.
The modular nature of fuel cells and batteries mean that so long as they are above the requisite voltage they can be mixed and matched.
Posted by: Davemart | 21 September 2018 at 08:42 AM
PEMFCs are more efficient when run below maximum output.
Posted by: SJC | 21 September 2018 at 11:57 AM
The efficiency of electrolysis is about 75%. So you lose 25% of your power there. Then the efficiency of conversion back to electricity by a fuel cell is about 60% Another 40% lost. Now, you have to get the hydrogen to the fueling station. Either by installing underground pipe or by trucking it. More efficiency loss. How was the electricity for electrolysis generated? Same way as if you put it directly in a battery at 95% efficiency.
Range for a BEV in a city is no problem at all.
FC vehicles output air, and WATER. Lots of WATER. Perfect for streets in cold countries in winter.
Posted by: Paroway | 21 September 2018 at 01:06 PM
You can reform renewable methane at 80% at point of use.
Posted by: SJC | 21 September 2018 at 03:11 PM
California has started a Renewable Natural Gas network,
they import 95% of the NG used from other states.
Posted by: SJC | 23 September 2018 at 08:38 PM