Hyundai’s next-generation fuel cell vehicle, NEXO, has been revealed at 2018 CES in Las Vegas with the ACT Government set to receive 20 vehicles in 2019.

HYUNDAI HAS BEEN pushing hard with its fuel cell technology and lobbying the Australian Government to ‘see the light’. The Korean car maker has just debuted its next-generation fuel cell vehicle at 2018 CES in Las Vegas and has announced that 20 NEXOs will be supplied to the ACT Government in 2019 as part of its Hornsdale Wind Farm project.

Until today, the name of the next-generation fuel cell Hyundai had been kept a secret… and clearly the name choice was a last-minute thing. I mean, NEXO. In a statement, Hyundai said: “The NEXO model will spearhead Hyundai Motor’s plans to accelerate development of low emission vehicles, in line with Hyundai Motor Group’s renewed goal of introducing 18 eco-friendly models to global markets by 2025. This new development roadmap also represents the next step for Hyundai Motor toward realising the ultimate ambition of creating a cleaner environment through eco-friendly vehicles”.

Hyundai’s NEXO takes Honda’s side view monitor to the next level and offers a camera on the right-hand side of the vehicle too. This is something the brand calls ‘industry-first technology’ but which I call common sense. Anyway, changing lanes in NEXO will be a little easier thanks to the wide-angle cameras looking down each side of the vehicle.

NEXO also offers Lane Following Assist which automatically adjusts steering to help keep NEXO centred in its lane of travel. LFA can keep NEXO centred at speeds between 0 and 145km/h on both highways and city streets. And NEXO also debuts Hyundai’s Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) which enables the thing to autonomously park or retrieve itself from a parking space with or without a driver in the car. The RSPA system can even back a NEXO into a parking spot by itself with a touch of a button from the driver.

NEXO is expected to begin deliveries to select markets from early this year and offers a much-improved range compared (800km, up 206km) to its predecessor, the ix35 FCEV. Hyundai said testing had subjected NEXO to extreme cold and heat and that the vehicle had started (within 30 seconds which Hyundai claims is an industry first).

“Hydrogen energy is the key to building a more sustainable society. Hyundai Motor Company has already taken a lead in hydrogen technology with introduction of ix35 fuel cell,” said Dr. Woong-chul Yang, Vice Chairman, Hyundai Motor Company.

“Yet as another result of this earth-saving effort, today, I am so proud to introduce to you our second-generation Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle which is a culmination of our cutting-edge technologies.”

Where NEXO’s predecessor was based on the compact SUV, ix35, NEXO is built on a unique platform allowing for improved location of the battery and much improved cabin space, according to Hyundai.

Question: Are battery-powered EVs or hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles the future?