World’s first full production of hydrogen powered vehicles arrives in the UK

These vehicles will be leased to key public and private fleet users in the capital. They are among the first of 1,000 examples that Hyundai has committed to produce between now and 2015 and are built on the same production line, in Ulsan, Korea, as the Tucson. The majority of those 1,000 cars will be available in Europe where the EC has established a number of schemes, such as the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), to promote the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier with zero carbon content.

For Hyundai, the philosophy behind the ix35 Fuel Cell project has been to produce a car that offers the same practicality, safety levels and driving experience as an ix35 driven by an internal combustion engine, but with zero tailpipe emissions. That means comparable performance – 100mph maximum, 0-62mph in 12.5 seconds and a range of almost 370 miles from each tank – but with no emissions: the only emission is water.

Although Hyundai has been developing its Fuel Cell vehicles for more than 15 years, it is only now, with the start of a viable hydrogen refueling network in place, that it can consider putting a fuel cell car into series production. Two hydrogen fuel stations are already open in the Capital – one of which has public access – with a third to come as part of the LHNE project.

A further three fueling stations are planned by 2015, by which time it is expected that the number of fuel cell vehicles in London will have risen ten-fold from the initial five to at least 50 or more including passenger cars, buses and scooters. “The work of the London Hydrogen Partnership (LHP) and other projects has really catapulted London towards the forefront of the move to a hydrogen future,” said Kit Malthouse, London Deputy Mayor for Business and Enterprise and Chairman of the LHP.

Source: Hyundai Motor