At the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show, Hyundai shows off its latest and greatest Tucson fuel cell electric vehicle (pictured above) which will go on sale in the Spring of 2014 in California. The trifecta of FCVs at this year’s L. A. Auto Show (including Toyota and Honda) demonstrate that at least some of the large automakers are betting big on hydrogen.
According to the Washington Post, “As with any potentially disruptive technology, there’s been a firestorm of controversy as automakers cluster into camps: those who advocate a future for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and those for electric vehicles. On one side, you have Honda, Hyundai and Toyota, all of whom have been making huge bets on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. On the other side, you have Volkswagen, GM, BMW, Nissan and Tesla – all of whom who argue vociferously against the new hydrogen-powered vehicles.”
Even though camps are divided on this issue, Hyundai has plowed ahead with its belief in hydrogen fueled vehicles.
According to the Detroit Free Press, “Available for sale in California by next spring, the Tucson Fuel Cell can go 367 miles on one tank of hydrogen, with a top speed of 100 m.p.h. and accelerates from 0 to 62 m.p.h. in 12.5 seconds. Its electric motor delivers 182 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.
“Krafcik said Hyundai plans to build 1,000 of the fuel-cell vehicles through 2016. Hyundai will make the Tucson Fuel Cell on the same South Korean assembly line as the gasoline-powered model.
“Next year, Hyundai plans to offer the vehicle at four California dealerships and will lease it for 36 months at $499 per month after a $3,000 down payment.”
As I’ve talked about before, California has approved 100 hydrogen fueling stations to be built within the next 10 years. So, Hyundai could find a happy hydrogen home in the Golden State starting this coming Spring.