The Hyundai FE Fuel Cell Concept has been revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, with the Korean car maker reaffirming its commitment to hydrogen…
WHILE OTHER CAR MAKERS are running headlong towards electric vehicles, the unveiling of the Hyundai FE Fuel Cell Concept reaffirms the brand’s commitment to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. In a statement, Hyundai said: “The FE Fuel Cell Concept represents the next step for Hyundai Motor toward realizing its ultimate ambition of creating a zero-emission Hydrogen Energy Society”.
Hyundai was a founding member of the Hydrogen Council, which launched earlier this year, following the brand’s two decades in the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Locally, we’ve seen the brand build a hydrogen filling station at its Sydney headquarters, and see the sale of a fleet of hydrogen-powered ix35 SUVs (the world’s first mass produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle).
Woong Chul Yang, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company, said: “Hyundai Motor has a heritage of building innovative, fuel-efficient vehicles that advance the automotive industry’s environmental progress. Our FE Fuel Cell Concept is an important evolution of our pioneering hydrogen leadership, and moves us closer to our vision for a ‘Hydrogen Society’, where transportation is clean, efficient and enhances the lives of our customers.”
The concept’s name ‘FE’ stands for Future Eco. According to Hyundai, “one of the most notable characteristics of the new concept is its internal air humidifier, which recycles water emitted by the car’s clean hydrogen energy circulation to create a more comfortable cabin environment”. This is a similar idea to Toyota’s Nano-e air purifying system which is available on the C-HR and adds moisture to the air, to prevent the air-conditioning from drying out your skin.
The FE Concept debuts Hyundai’s fourth-generation hydrogen fuel cell technology, which is 20% lighter and 10% more efficient than the system used in the current ix35. In addition, the power density of the fuel cell stack is increased by 30%, boosting the car’s range (up to 800km).
In a nod to our constantly-connected lives, the FE Concept features portable battery packs – charged by the car’s energy output – to power passenger devices. Meanwhile, the boot features an integrated storage and charging space for an electric scooter… or something that size.
There’s no word yet on when we might see a production-ready version of the FE Concept, or whether some of its features will be rolled out into existing hydrogen fuel cell products.
