Introducing the world's first production model Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicle. Powered by renewable energy, our world-leading zero-emissions technology takes a giant step towards a truly viable alternative to the internal combustion engine.
Paving the way for a new future, the ix35 Fuel Cell received the Technology Award at this year's Fleet World Honours
The EU backed 'Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking' group chose the ix35 Fuel Cell for the second year to demonstrate the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology to EU policymakers
The ix35 Fuel Cell has been awarded a prestigious What Car? 2016 technology award for innovation in the automotive industry.
Hydrogen is the key to a future of sustainable motoring. Making up approximately 75% of the universe we live in, it’s in abundance compared to the finite fossil fuels used by combustion engine cars. The process of passing hydrogen through a fuel cell creates energy much more efficiently than the chemicals used in gasoline. It can also store the energy it creates unlike the electricity needed to power electric cars. Finding an infinite and efficient resource for powering cars is essential. However, the most important reason to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology is that each vehicle produces zero exhaust emissions. With only clean and recyclable by-products emitted through driving, the result is a sustainable motoring future.
Aquaponics is a sustainable farming solution; a combination of hydroponics (growing plants in water) and aquaculture (raising fish in tanks). Taking the water vapour emitted by the ix35 Fuel Cell, the Fuel Cell Farm condenses it into water which then filters into the fish tank - the aquaponics technology harnesses the minerals from the fish waste to grow vegetables on the farm. Hyundai collaborated with London-based sustainability creatives, Something & Son, to create the Fuel Cell Farm which was unveiled on the 21st October 2013 by Deputy Mayor of London, Kit Malthouse.
Whereas conventional engines rely on explosive combustion to generate power, fuel cell vehicles generate energy through combustion-free chemical interaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Providing safe and reliable power from its renewable energy source. The ix35 Fuel Cell has undergone extensive safety testing including multiple crash test procedures and vehicle strength assessments. In addition the ix35 Fuel Cell is equipped with a number of safety features including intelligent sensors to detect anomalies and safety valves to shut off the hydrogen in the event of a collision.
Fleet World award recognises Hyundai’s commitment to bringing the reality of hydrogen-powered vehicles a step closer with production of the ix35 Fuel Cell
Hyundai is the first manufacturer to begin assembly-line production of zero-emission fuel cell vehicles with plans to manufacture 1,000 units by 2015
Hyundai Motor Company has strengthened its commitment to a cleaner, low-carbon future by recently joining the Mayor’s London Hydrogen Partnership (LHP).
High Wycombe, May 21, 2013 – Hyundai received the Technology Award for the ix35 Fuel Cell at this year’s Fleet World Honours which took place this afternoon at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club in London.
The award, which was shared with the Renault Zoe, is recognition of Hyundai’s commitment to bringing the ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle to series production ahead of 2015.
Fleet World Editor, Steve Moody, said: “For many years now, the commercialisation of hydrogen cars has seemed to be a long way in the future. But Hyundai’s commitment to the production of the ix35 Fuel Cell has brought the reality a step closer. This bold and exciting move deserves recognition for the commitment the company is making to zero emission motoring.”
Martin Wilson, fleet director, Hyundai Motor UK says: “Hyundai is honoured to have been recognised by the Fleet World judges with this award. The Company is committed to being a leader in sustainable mobility and we’re not just talking about the future – we are shaping it with the production of the ix35 Fuel Cell.”
Hyundai plans to manufacture 1,000 units of the hydrogen-powered ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles by 2015, targeted predominantly at public sector and private fleets, with limited mass production of 10,000 units beyond 2015.
Hyundai has also recently joined the London Hydrogen Partnership (LHP) where it will provide its expertise to help to drive development of the infrastructure needed to realize a hydrogen economy.
Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell represents one of the most advanced vehicles of this type. It is equipped with a 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Two hydrogen storage tanks, with a total capacity of 5.64 kg, enable the vehicle to travel a total of 594 km on a single fill, and it can reliably start in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius.
The energy is stored in a 24 kW lithium-ion polymer battery, jointly developed with LG Chemical.
The Fleet World Honours are presented annually to those motor manufacturers, service companies and individuals who have, in the opinion of the judges, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.
The judging process combines the expert opinion of the Fleet World editorial team with the values provided by a number of leading leasing companies and fleet data providers.
Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell to demonstrate real-world benefits to EU decision-makers
World’s first production, zero-emission fuel cell car selected for tests drives in Brussels
Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell selected to be driven by key European Union officials and policymakers throughout 2013 for the second year running
High Wycombe, March 15, 2013 -- The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell has been selected for the second consecutive year by the European Commission-backed Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) to demonstrate the real-world benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology.
The world’s first production fuel cell electric vehicle, the ix35 Fuel Cell, will be made available throughout 2013 to members of the European Parliament, European Commission officials and other policymakers for test drives in Brussels, Belgium.
Hyundai Motor was awarded its first leasing contract for a hydrogen-powered fuel cell car by the FCH JU in October 2011. Over the course of 2012, the ix35 Fuel Cell was presented to EU decision-makers, stakeholders and the general public at a number of demonstration drives and public events in Brussels and other locations across Europe.
President of Hyundai Motor Europe B.K. Rim said: “We are delighted that the FCH JU has chosen the ix35 Fuel Cell as its European demonstration vehicle and look forward to working with them to promote the benefits of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. We are sure that the leading policymakers and opinion-formers who drive this remarkable vehicle will find its ability to deliver performance and comfort without compromising its eco-friendly nature with tailpipe emissions highly compelling.”
The leader in fuel cell development
Hyundai has become a world-leader in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology since the introduction of the Santa Fe FCEV in 2000 and operates a dedicated fuel cell research division at its Eco Technology Research Institute in Korea. In January 2013 the company became the world’s first automaker to begin assembly-line production of zero-emission, hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Hyundai plans to build 1,000 examples of the ix35 Fuel Cell by 2015 for lease to public and private fleets, primarily in Europe, where the European Commission has established a road map for construction of a pan-European hydrogen fuelling station network. A total of 17 ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles have already been ordered by the cities of Copenhagen, Denmark and Skåne, Sweden.
Leading automakers, including Hyundai, have declared support for more refuelling stations to prepare the market for mass production of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell
Using Hyundai’s proprietary technology, the ix35 Fuel Cell’s fuel cell stack converts hydrogen into electricity, which turns the vehicle’s motor. The only emission generated is water.
The ix35 Fuel Cell can be refuelled with hydrogen in only a few minutes. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.5 seconds, has a top speed of 160 km/h and can travel 594 kilometres on a single tank. The ix35 Fuel Cell is the result of 14 years and several hundred million euros of research by hundreds of engineers at Hyundai Eco Technology Research Institute in Mabuk, Korea. The car has logged more than 3 million kilometres of road tests in real-world conditions in Europe, Korea and the U.S.
Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell specifications
Length
4410 mm
Width
1820 mm
Height
1655 mm
Driving range on one fill-up
594 km
Vehicle efficiency
0.95 kg H2 / 100 km
Top speed
160 km/h
Acceleration, 0 to 100 km/h
12.5 seconds
Fuel cell output power
100 kW (136 ps)
Energy storage system
24 kW lithium-ion polymer battery
Fuel
Hydrogen (700 bar, 5.6 kg)
Exhaust gas
Water vapour
Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell
Up to 1,000 units of zero emission hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to be produced by 2015
Deliveries to municipal and private fleets underway
Winner of prestigious FuturAuto 2013 award for technical innovation
Geneva, 5 March 2013 − Production of the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell began at the company’s Ulsan manufacturing plant in Korea in January 2013, making Hyundai the first automaker to begin commercial production of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The first complete car rolled off the assembly line on 26 February 2013.
Hyundai plans to manufacture 1,000 units of the ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles by 2015, targeted predominantly at public sector and private fleets, with limited mass production of 10,000 units beyond 2015.
Hyundai has already signed contracts to lease the ix35 Fuel Cell to municipal fleets in Copenhagen, Denmark and Skåne, Sweden. Additionally, since October 2011, the EU Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) in Brussels has been providing Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles to EU policy makers and the public in order to demonstrate the market readiness of fuel cell technology.
Award-winning credentials
At the 2013 European Motor Show in Brussels, Belgium, the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell was awarded the prestigious FuturAuto accolade, selected as winner for becoming the first mass-produced, hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle to be commercially available.
The award, in its 12th year, celebrates technological innovation in the automotive industry and is judged by a respected panel of journalists from the Belgian Automotive Press Union (UJBA).
From a long list of 16 candidates, the judges selected a five-strong shortlist which included innovations from Hyundai, Bosch, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.
Third-generation FCEV from Hyundai
The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell is the third-generation fuel cell-powered electric vehicle (FCEV) from Hyundai. Since Hyundai introduced the Santa Fe FCEV in 2000, the company has become a world leader in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology, and operates the largest fuel-cell research centre in Korea.
In 2005, the second-generation Hyundai fuel cell electric vehicle − the Tucson FCEV − was introduced, powered by the company’s first 80 kW (109 hp) fuel cell.
The third generation of Hyundai’s FCEV family, the ix35 Fuel Cell represents a truly viable everyday vehicle, retaining the safety, equipment, convenience and performance of the conventionally powered ix35 and producing zero harmful tailpipe emissions.
The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell delivers large improvements over its predecessor, including a driving range that has been extended by more than 50% and fuel efficiency gains of more than 15%.
The ix35 Fuel Cell is equipped with a 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Two hydrogen storage tanks, with a total capacity of 5.64 kg, enable the vehicle to travel a total of 594 km on a single fill, and it can reliably start in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. The energy is stored in a 24 kW lithium-ion polymer battery, jointly developed with LG Chemical.
Fuel cells operate by turning chemical energy from hydrogen into electromechanical energy. Internal to a fuel cell, an anode and cathode sandwich a polymer electrolyte membrane. The process of creating an electrical current occurs in three stages:
1. Hydrogen gas flows over the anode, causing it to split into hydrogen ions (protons) and electrons.
2. The polymer electrolyte membrane only allows the protons to pass through. The electrons travel to an external circuit which operate the motor.
3. At the cathode, electrons and protons react with oxygen (from air) creating H2O − water − which flows out of the cell as the only waste product.
Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell represents one of the most advanced vehicles of this type, and with continued development and improvements in production costs, it is expected that limited mass production will enable sales to much greater numbers of customers around the world to start beyond 2015.
Hyundai’s hydrogen initiatives
Hyundai has been involved in a wide range of initiatives and partnerships to help promote hydrogen fuel cells as a future solution to Europe’s transport requirements. With governments, non-profit organisations and private ventures all looking to the alternative modes of transport, Hyundai is supporting the momentum surrounding FCEVs across the region.
In May 2011, Hyundai signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Copenhagen, fuel cell producer H2 Logic and Hydrogen Link − the latter an association working to advance the use of electricity for transportation in Denmark based on hydrogen and fuel cells.
The aim of the agreement is to establish an infrastructure for the support of FCEVs in Copenhagen, a city which aims to be carbon neutral by 2025. Under the MOU, Hyundai provided two ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles for a test drive attended by mayors of the capital cities of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland in 2011.
In October 2011, Hyundai invited Europe’s top media to test its ix35 Fuel Cell in Copenhagen, and, in doing so, took another significant step towards its goal of bringing FCEVs to the mainstream car market by 2015.
The Copenhagen test drive followed the news that the ix35 Fuel Cell had been selected by the European Commission-backed ‘Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking’ (FCH JU) to be used as a demonstration vehicle to test and promote hydrogen fuel cell technology in a real-world environment. As part of the initiative, the ix35 Fuel Cell was made available for Members of the European Parliament, Commissioners, EU officials and other policy makers to test drive. This gained great visibility for the ix35 Fuel Cell and hydrogen vehicle technology among policy makers.
In January 2012, Hyundai signed a memorandum of understanding along with twelve other industry participants to launch a scheme called UKH2Mobility. This draws on the experience of other hydrogen initiatives from across Europe to investigate the potential for hydrogen as a fuel for ultra-low carbon vehicles. Calling on £400 million (approximately €475 million) of funding from the UK government, the results of the scheme will lead to further steps to introduce hydrogen as a more mainstream fuel in the UK.
A February 2013 study published by UKH2Mobility forecast that, with suitable infrastructure investment, more than 1.5 million hydrogen-powered vehicles could be on the roads by 2030 in the UK alone.
The company’s vision and strategy has earned it recognition as one of the ‘Top Global Green Brands of 2012’ in Interbrand’s 50 Global Green Brands report. Placed 17th overall, Hyundai was one of the highest-ranked automakers. Interbrand made particular mention of Hyundai’s industry leadership in zero-emissions technology through advances in hydrogen fuel-cell development.
Through technological development, as well as the various schemes and initiatives that Hyundai is involved in, the company is demonstrating its commitment to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as an environmentally friendly solution for fulfilling future mobility needs.
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