Hyundai's
zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered Tucson
Fuel Cell vehicle continues to satisfy and attract new customers focused on
high-versatility and clean transportation. For 2016, the Tucson Fuel Cell adds
convenient HomeLink® connectivity to the mirror, allowing owners to open and
close garage doors, security gates and even control home lighting systems via a
button on the rearview mirror, which now includes a digital compass. In
addition, Tucson adds two
new exterior color options to Winter White: Hydro Blue and Chromium Silver.
"At
Hyundai, we strongly believe that
hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles represent the next generation of
zero-emission vehicle technology, and we're proud to be a leader in offering
the mass-produced Tucson Fuel Cell to our customers," said Dave Zuchowski,
president and chief executive officer, Hyundai Motor America.
"Every day, these customers are enjoying the benefits of refueling speed
and superior range that compare favorably with gasoline vehicles, providing a
seamless transition from traditional vehicles with minimal loss of utility.
We're confident that advancing fuel cell technology will increase the adoption
of zero-emission vehicles, and that everyone will benefit."
The
Hyundai Tucson
Fuel Cell has also received strong support from government agencies, such as
the California Air Resources Board. "These ultra-clean vehicles play a
critical role in our efforts to clean the air and meet our climate goals,"
said Air Resources Board chairman Mary D. Nichols. "Fuel cell cars are not
vehicles of the future – they're here now, and we applaud Hyundai for bringing
them first to market in California where they are most needed."
FUEL CELL PRICING AND BENEFITS
The
Tucson Fuel Cell lease program remains unchanged for 2016. Customers in the Los
Angeles/Orange County region can drive Hyundai's next-generation
Tucson Fuel Cell for just $499 per month for a 36-month term, with a $2,999
down payment. This includes the addition of a remarkable benefit – unlimited
complimentary hydrogen refueling and At Your Service Valet Maintenance at no
extra cost.
"When
we spoke with customers about fuel cell vehicles, many wondered about the cost
of hydrogen," explained Mike O'Brien, vice president, corporate and
product planning. "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 will enjoy similar services enjoyed by Hyundai Equus owners,
such as At Your Service Valet Maintenance, at no extra cost. Similar to what
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 the customer's 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. Retail consumers can find
availability at three select southern California Hyundai dealers: Win
Hyundai in Carson, Tustin Hyundai, and Hardin Hyundai in Anaheim. Availability
of the Tucson
Fuel Cell will expand to other regions of the U.S. consistent with the
accelerating deployment of hydrogen refueling stations.
TUCSON FUEL CELL ADVANTAGES
Hyundai
has developed its Tucson
Fuel Cell to alleviate some of the range and utility 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
fulfill their transportation needs without range or recharging-time concerns to
their lifestyle.
The
Tucson Fuel Cell is an advanced electric vehicle – one that creates its 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
- Refueling time similar to gasoline vehicle of same size
- 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 in February 2013 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
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
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