FCEV 2030 to have more fuel cell vehicles - Hyundai & Kia

MANILA: It has been over a century since we have been relying on the ICE (international combustion engine) mechanism to power our vehicles. Electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles have been the talk of the town on many occasions but very little has been achieved. A true electric future is a distant dream, still.

In a recent announcement, Honda & Kia revealed their FCEV 2030 plan. Both the manufacturers are aiming towards 700,000 fuel cell systems every year by the year 2030. By doing so, Hyundai & Kia are looking forward to building a “hydrogen society”. The fuel cells system will not only be used in automobiles but also in power generation, storage systems, transportation, and even infrastructure.

Euisun Chung, who is the executive vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, said, “Hyundai Motor Group, the global pioneer of the commercial production of FCEV, is taking a bold step forward to expedite the realization of a hydrogen society. We will expand our role beyond the automotive transportation sector and play a pivotal role in global society’s transition to clean energy by helping make hydrogen an economically viable energy source. We are confident that hydrogen power will transcend the transportation sector and become a leading global economic success”.

Not very long ago, the second fuel-cell system plant was initiated in Chungju, South Korea. Hyundai Mobis Co., the fuel-cell system subsidiary under HMG also organised a grand ceremony on the historic occasion. With the new plant in operation now, Hyundai Mobis Co. aims at an increased production of 40,000 units every by 2022 from the 3,000 units today.

Including both passenger and commercial vehicles, HMG is targetting an annual production of 500,000 fuel-cell systems by the year 2030. The Hyundai Nexo FCEV, the newest fuel-cell vehicle from the Korean manufacturer has already been unveiled and is up for grabs for commercial use. The Nexo FCEV can do a 0 - 97 kmph in less than 10 seconds and has a maximum power of 184 PS. By all means, the Nexo FCEV boasts better range, reliability, and efficiency than the forerunner which was based on the Tucson.