Hyundai Previews Upcoming Hydrogen Fuel Cell Passenger Car with INITIUM Concept

Hyundai continues to show optimism for the future of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, with the announcement of a new concept car that presages a production model that will arrive in the first half of 2025. This will join the fuel cell version of Honda's CR-V, announced earlier this year.

The market for fuel cell vehicles continues to be hamstrung by a lack of fueling infrastructure, despite support for the technology from companies like BMW, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai.

Battery-electric vehicles are the superior solution for most drivers, project manager for BMW’s iX5 Hydrogen FCV Robert Halas told Design News last year. That’s because BEVs are inexpensive to charge at home. Fuel cell vehicles are better for people who regularly make long trips, who live in a cold climate where battery efficiency is reduced, and those who regularly tow trailers. “The big advantage of the fuel cell car is the fast refueling,” he said.

Of course, for that to be a viable option, there need to be hydrogen fueling stations for them to use. Unfortunately, the nascent network of fueling stations in California has collapsed, leaving the viability of such cars in doubt.

In March, Shell Oil Co. closed its remaining seven public hydrogen fuel stations, after closing others previously. According to S&P Global Commodity Insights, California's largest hydrogen provider, True Zero, also closed ten of its stations. Iwatani and Messer also closed several stations last year.

“Supply is available, but hydrogen demand has simply grown much more slowly than projected, making it challenging for refueling stations to recoup costs,” said Brian Murphy, S&P’s Senior Hydrogen and Low-Carbon Fuels Analyst.

Into this environment, Hyundai will launch a production model based on the INITIUM concept car.

“Hyundai Motor’s clear, unwavering commitment to hydrogen over the past 27 years is rooted in our belief in its potential as a clean, accessible, and therefore fair, energy source for everyone,” said Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. “We are dedicated to pioneering a future where hydrogen is used by everyone, in everything, and everywhere. We invite you to join us on this journey.”

Hyundai says that INITIUM is designed to leverage hydrogen’s strengths to make the car appealing to drivers.  The company cites FCEV performance, comfort, and safety relative to that of BEVs.

No one is concerned about any lack of conventional performance from fast-accelerating BEVs. Instead, Hyundai refers to the performance metric of driving range without refueling or recharging. Hyundai says that its car will travel 400 miles between fuel stops.

The INITIUM’s acceleration should be sufficient, judging from the company’s announcement of the INITIUM 150-kilowatt (204-horsepower) electric motor.

Additionally, advances in hydrogen storage mean that the tanks containing hydrogen can be smaller than battery packs, leaving more cabin space for passengers. Hyundai boasts of INITIUM’s cabin space, with reclining rear seats and large rear door opening angles.

Lastly, despite lingering Hindenburg fire connotations, hydrogen gas is safer than the lithium-ion batteries that have proved to be problematic during the introductory stage of that technology.

The company says that INITIUM has a built-in route planner for locating hydrogen stations, but it seems that the network has gotten so small that drivers will surely know each station’s location already.

“Companies like Hyundai and Toyota are keeping the technology progressing,” observed Sam Fiorani, Vice President of Global Vehicle Forecasting for AutoForecast Solutions LLC. “But it will still be a couple of decades before we see it as an option for everyday buyers, unless there’s a huge breakthrough in the ability to profitably make and deliver hydrogen.”