Introduced
last year, the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell vehicle
debuted in the Southern California marketplace. For the first time, retail
consumers will be able to put a mass-produced, federally certified hydrogen
fuel cell vehicle in their driveways. Availability of the Tucson Fuel Cell will
expand to other regions of the country consistent with the accelerating
deployment of hydrogen refueling stations.
The
prime mover for this very special Hyundai crossover is a
combination of an electric motor, high-density battery pack and hydrogen fuel
cell which emits nothing but water vapor.
The Tucson Fuel Cell can only be
leased from the manufacturer, but the lease includes unlimited free hydrogen
refueling and At Your Service Valet Maintenance at no extra cost. Should a
Tucson Fuel Cell require any service, a Hyundai dealer will pick up the vehicle
and provide a loaner, then return their vehicle after service to their home or
business at no charge.
"Hydrogen-powered
fuel cell electric vehicles represent the next generation of zero-emission
vehicle technology, so we're thrilled to be a leader in offering the
mass-produced, federally certified Tucson Fuel Cell to retail customers,"
said John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer, Hyundai Motor America.
"The superior range and fast-fill refueling speed of our Tucson Fuel Cell vehicle
contrast with the lower range and slow-charge characteristics of competing
battery electric vehicles. We think fuel cell technology will increase the
adoption rate of zero-emission vehicles, and we'll all share the environmental
benefits."
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 UCI's Advanced Power and Energy Program's
2013 study, the hydrogen fuel cell provides lower total well-to-wheel emissions
than a battery electric vehicle. For the Tucson Fuel Cell
driver, this social benefit is achieved with greater utility, versatility and
without compromises.
Consider
these facts about the Tucson
Fuel Cell; a driving range of approximately 265 miles; full hydrogen
refueling in under 10 minutes, similar to gasoline; instantaneous electric
motor torque; minimal cold-weather effects compared with traditional battery
electric vehicles; 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; and zero greenhouse-gas emissions, emitting
only water vapor.
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. In fact,
Hyundai's Fuel
Cell prototypes have relied on hydrogen generated at the Orange County
Sanitation District near its Fountain Valley headquarters, where methane from
sewage is turned into hydrogen. Hydrogen can even be sourced directly from
water, using electrolysis to split hydrogen molecules with electricity from
renewable sources such as wind and solar.
Dimensions & specifications
Wheelbase: 103.9; overall length: 173.6; width:
71.7; height: 65.2
All vehicle measurements are in inches
Engine: hydrogen fuel cell – 134 hp at 5,000 rpm
and 221 lbs-ft of torque at 1,000 rpm; electric motor – 100 kW; and Li-Polmer
battery pack – 24 kW.
Driving Range: 265 miles
EPA equivalent Fuel Economy: 49 city/51 hwy
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