Hyundai
Collaborates With Congressional Hydrogen And Fuel Cell Caucus To Highlight
Introduction Of Mass-Produced Fuel Cell Vehicles In The Retail Market Members
of Congress, Department of Energy Tout Importance of Fuel Cell Technology
WASHINGTON,
Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Hyundai
collaborated with the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus and the Department of
Energy to highlight the introduction of the first mass-produced fuel cell
vehicles in the U.S. retail market. In a briefing organized by the House
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus, Hyundai
executives, Members of Congress, and an official from the Department of Energy
discussed the innovative and clean technology that powers hydrogen fuel cell
vehicles and the need for additional hydrogen infrastructure in the United
States.
"Hyundai is thrilled to
partner with leaders in Congress and the Department of Energy to promote the
continued development and commercialization of these clean energy
technologies," said Kathleen Hennessey, Vice President, Government Affairs
for Hyundai Motor Company.
"We look forward to continuing to work together with groups like H2USA,
the public-private partnership launched by the Energy Department, to find ways
to advance hydrogen infrastructure to support more transportation energy
options – like fuel cell vehicles – for our consumers here in the United
States."
In June
2014, Hyundai became the
first automaker to offer for lease in the United States a mass-produced fuel
cell vehicle. Hyundai Tucson
Fuel Cell lessees can now drive Hyundai's
next-generation Tucson Fuel Cell for just $499 per month, including unlimited
free hydrogen refueling and At Your Service Valet Maintenance at no extra cost.
"We
are very proud to offer our customers a no-compromise solution with the Hyundai
Tucson Fuel Cell's zero-emission technology, quick refueling, spacious
interior, and great lease program," said Gil Castillo, Hyundai's senior
manager for alternative vehicle strategy.
House
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus Co-Chair Representative John Larson, a longtime
advocate for fuel cell technology, has spearheaded federal efforts to
accelerate the deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen energy technology through
infrastructure and investment tax credits. Larson commented, "Fuel cells
and hydrogen energy are a key to utilizing cleaner, domestic energy sources. As
the nation's hub for fuel cell manufacturing, Connecticut is poised to take
advantage of the exciting developments taking place in this industry such as
the introduction of the Hyundai
Tucson Fuel Cell Vehicle. From ending our dependence on foreign oil, reducing
harmful emissions, and spurring American manufacturing, fuel cells will play a
critical role in solving some of our most pressing problems. I applaud
automakers such as Hyundai for investing in this incredible technology."
Fellow
Caucus Co-Chair Representative Charles Dent added, "I applaud Hyundai for their commitment to the
deployment of hydrogen fuel cell cars in real numbers so that the public can
realize that the potential of this technology is real. I am very proud of Air
Products, based in my district, for working with Hyundai to promote the
deployment of hydrogen fueling stations where any gas station customer will
feel right at home."
FUEL CELL PRICING AND BENEFITS
The
Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell is being offered to customers in the Los
Angeles/Orange County region for a 36-month term at $499 per month, with $2,999
down. This includes the addition of a remarkable benefit – unlimited free
hydrogen refueling. Consumers can learn more about the Tucson Fuel Cell leasing
opportunity by visiting the Tucson Fuel Cell microsite at
hyundaiusa.com/tucsonfuelcell.
"When
we spoke with customers about fuel cell vehicles, many wondered about the cost
of hydrogen," explained Zuchowski. "To ease those concerns as the
hydrogen refueling network builds out, we decided that covering this cost for
these early adopters was appropriate, and consistent with how we like to treat
our customers."
In
addition, Tucson Fuel Cell owners enjoy similar services enjoyed by Hyundai
Equus owners, such as At Your Service Valet Maintenance at no extra cost. As
Equus owners have enjoyed since its introduction in 2010, should a Tucson Fuel
Cell require any service, a Hyundai dealer will pick up the vehicle and provide
a loan vehicle, then return the car after service to their home or business, at
no charge.
Customers
interested in the Tucson Fuel Cell can indicate their interest (the first step
in the ordering process) by visiting Hyundai.com. Availability of the Tucson
Fuel Cell will expand to other regions consistent with the accelerating
deployment of hydrogen refueling stations.
TUCSON FUEL CELL ADVANTAGES
Hyundai
introduced its Tucson Fuel Cell to alleviate the limitations of traditional battery
electric vehicles. The Tucson Fuel Cell maintains the day-to-day flexibility of
the gasoline-powered Tucson, so that its driver is able to immediately enjoy
the next generation of electric vehicles without range or recharge-time
compromises to their lifestyle.
The
Tucson Fuel Cell represents the next generation of electric vehicles – those
that create their own electricity, on-board, from hydrogen. According to the
University of California, Irvine Advanced Power and Energy Program's 2013
study, the hydrogen fuel cell provides comparable total well-to-wheel emissions
to a battery electric vehicle. For the Tucson Fuel Cell driver, this social
benefit is achieved with greater utility, versatility and without compromises.
Consider:
Driving
range of 265 miles
Capable
of full refueling in under 10 minutes, similar to gasoline
Minimal
reduction in daily utility compared with its gasoline counterpart
Instantaneous
electric motor torque
Minimal
cold-weather effects compared with battery electric vehicles
Superb
daily reliability and long-term durability
No
moving parts within the power-generating fuel cell stack
More
than two million durability test miles on Hyundai's fuel cell fleet since 2000
Extensive
crash, fire and leak testing successfully completed
Quieter
EV operation
Zero
greenhouse-gas emissions, emits only water vapor
The
Tucson Fuel Cell began mass production for the U.S. market in April 2014 at the
Ulsan, Korea assembly plant that also manufactures the Tucson gasoline-powered CUV.
Manufacturing the Tucson Fuel Cell at the same plant allows Hyundai to leverage
both the high quality and cost-efficiency of its popular gasoline-powered
Tucson platform.
HYDROGEN RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS
The
benefits of hydrogen are well known - required supplies for the U.S. market can
be produced domestically and its supply is virtually unlimited. It can be
produced by varied means - including renewable sources such as biogas. Hydrogen
can even be sourced directly from water, using electrolysis to split hydrogen
molecules with electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and
solar.
Further
supporting hydrogen infrastructure development, California approved a plan in
October 2013 to develop up to 100 hydrogen refueling stations in the state over
the next several years. This recent California initiative dovetails with
increased government support of hydrogen infrastructure development at the
federal level, such as H2USA. In addition, the California Energy Commission
recently announced proposed awarding of $44.5 million for the development of 28
new hydrogen stations (plus one mobile refueler), bringing the total number of
hydrogen fueling stations (open, in-development, and proposed) to over 50
stations.
FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY: HOW IT WORKS
Hyundai's
fuel cell effectively replaces the battery pack used in an electric vehicle by
generating electricity from hydrogen through an electrochemical process that
does not involve hydrogen combustion, with no moving parts within the fuel cell
stack.
The
fuel cell electrochemical process is as follows:
Hydrogen
enters the anode, air (oxygen) enters the cathode
Catalyst
splits the hydrogen electrons and protons
Electrolyte
conducts the positively-charged ions while blocking the electrons
Electrons
are used to create an external circuit, generating electricity
Catalyst
combines the hydrogen ions and electrons with oxygen to create water and heat
energy
A
single fuel cell produces approximately one volt; fuel cells are
"stacked" to meet voltage requirements
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai
Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of
Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the
United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more
than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are
covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile
fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile
powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside
Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models
equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car
care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services
include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle
Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service
scheduling.
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