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Report: Hyundai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Coming In 2012

 
1,619 views Aug 24, 2010
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2007 Hyundai i-Blue fuel cell concept

2007 Hyundai i-Blue fuel cell concept

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Hyundai is determined to turn itself into a leader in the field of hybrid and electric vehicles, having already unveiled a number of production vehicles and concepts. One of these was the 2007 Hyundai i-Blue, a hydrogen powered, zero-emission concept powered by the automaker’s third generation fuel cell technology.

According to a new report, the production version of the i-Blue will go on sale in 2012. Being a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the production i-Blue will almost certainly be sold in limited numbers. In fact, global volumes are expected to be limited to just 500 to 1,000 units for the first two years, though this number could be pushed as high as 10,000 units by as early as 2015.

Hyundai is yet to reveal what segment its new hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle will compete in, though a mini-MPV like the i-Blue concept is the most likely option. Hyundai is also planning to launch a plug-in hybrid vehicle sometime in 2012 as well.

To remain competitive, Hyundai has developed almost all of its technologies completely in-house, which should allow the automaker to keep its advanced models affordable. However, vehicles like the production i-Blue and upcoming plug-in hybrid are not aimed at generating profits but rather to draw in customers and promote Hyundai as a technological leader.

Of course, Hyundai is not alone in its efforts to promote vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells as a worthy alternative for future mobility. Honda has enjoyed mixed results with its FCX Clarity and next year Mercedes-Benz will roll out a test fleet of its hydrogen powered B-Class F-cell.

[AutoWeek]





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Comments (8)

  1. By ev enthusiast Posted: 8/24/2010 8:37am PDT

    one trend that i dont like about most all vehicles is the side windows keep getting shorter and shorter.
    compared to the past, cars of today have taller doors with less window. i just wonder if visibility suffers.
    i think it is good that we continue working on hydrogen. since we still use the same electric motor, there is much in common. the hydrogen simply replaces the batteries as the source of power.
    i think that the opportunity for both cheaper hydrogen and cheaper electricity exist.
     
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  2. By cdspeed Posted: 8/24/2010 2:03pm PDT

    With better batteries hydrogen won't be necessary. One of the things I like best about EVs is no one would have to handle flammable fuels anymore. All it takes is the smallest spark at a gas station to start a fire and you can do all you want to prevent fires with hydrogen but over time some fueling stations either wont maintain their pumps or damage caused by customers will lead to accidents. Besides hydrogen powered cars were brought about by big oil, they want to have something to drain our wallets with. Lets eliminate the pump altogether, we only need to be patient charging is only going to get easier and easier.
     
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  3. By ev enthusiast Posted: 8/24/2010 4:25pm PDT

    hi cd,
    i agree with you that batteries will get better.
    but i was not thinking along those lines.
    it still requires oil to make both electricity and hydrogen, which would fuel our evs.
    but i think those processes may have large potential improvements.
    my thinking was that if we worked on both, we would have two chances instead of just one.
    if i recall, 60 minutes had a segment on hydrogen in a solid form. i am not sure just how dangerous it is. but i think liquid hydrogen is still less dangerous than our current gasoline.
     
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  4. By cdspeed Posted: 8/24/2010 5:48pm PDT

    @ ev enthusiast, My comment wasn't directed at yours. Although I had seen a story on TV about hydrogen, in it they lit two identical cars on fire from the fuel inlet. The car filled with gasoline burned to the ground it was a total loss. And when they did the same to the hydrogen filled car, the hydrogen being lighter than air had a flame that shot straight up from the fuel inlet and dissipated and the car was fixable. But my vote is still for pure electrics.
     
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  5. By James Posted: 8/24/2010 7:05pm PDT

    I agree quit wasting time and resources on hydrogen. Honda needs to get a BEV or plug in hybrid in their dealerships.
     
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  6. By DC Posted: 8/24/2010 7:33pm PDT

    It should suprise no-one that the oil-auto cartel continues to push the FCV scam. The oilco's need two things, one, keep happy motoring alive, with, along with its attendant sprawl and enviromental destruction. Second, they need to replace the current wasteful, inefficent complex gas infastructure, with an even more complex and wasteful hydrogen infastructure.(Of course, the oil-cos wouldnt want to actually pay for this themselves, that what oil-auto co. subsidies are for). IOW, the future has to look like today, only cost a lot more, be even more explosive than the currrent fuel, be less energy efficent than even gas powered cars, and require cars that that require constant refueling and expensive repairs...Any of this sound familar?
    And last but not least, fuel-cell vehicles wont solve a single problem that the current fleet of gas-powered mobile trash bins dauses.
     
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  7. By  ev enthusiast Posted: 8/24/2010 11:19pm PDT

    i found it interesting that ev batteries are being sold at the same place that one buys regular batteries.
     
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  8. By David Posted: 8/25/2010 2:53am PDT

    @DC Yes the oil business would prefer FCV over BEV for many of the reasons you mention. But if you think BEV's will be the end of big oil you are only fooling yourself. No mater what technology comes out on top the large corporations including oil will find a way to profit from it. Both technologies have benifits and liabilities. Let the contest begin and may the best (or most likely both) win.
     
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