Hyundai became the first automaker to offer a mass-produced fuel cell vehicle when it brought out a special version of its Tucson crossover in 2013. Now, Hyundai is ready to take its fuel cell technology further.
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In 2018, Hyundai will debut an all-new fuel cell vehicle, reportsAutomotive News. Hyundai's director of eco-vehicle development, Ahn Byung-ki, told the publication that the new vehicle will lie "somewhere between a CUV and SUV."
The new vehicle will have a smaller fuel cell and a larger battery, the report says. The electric motor will boast a higher output, but will be physically smaller than the one in the Tucson Fuel Cell.
Hyundai's new fuel cell will debut just in time for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. Hyundai is taking full advantage of the opportunity, as it plans to market the new vehicle at the event. Hyundai may also introduce a fuel cell bus at the games.
"It's a big event. That's always a good opportunity for PR," Ahn toldAN.
Hyundai now leases its Tucson Fuel Cell vehicle in California for $499 a month, plus free hydrogen fuel. In February, Hyundai announced Tucson Fuel Cell drivers have accumulated more than 1 million miles on roads in Southern California.
In all, the automaker has produced fewer than 1,000 copies of its fuel cell vehicle. But by 2020, it's looking to roll out 28 new green vehicles across all of its brands. These will include 10 hybrids, eight plug-in hybrids, eight EVs, and two fuel cell vehicles.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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