Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)
Envisions the future of eco-friendly mobility
Future is finally here: world’s first mass-produced FCEV
The “Paris Motor Show 2012” held in September 2012 in Paris, France, was stirred with unexpected news. Hyundai Motor showcased “ix35 Fuel Cell”, announcing the debut of the world’s first mass-produced FCEV. The ix35 Fuel Cell instantly came into the spotlight during the show. The fuel cell development project kicked off in 1998, which developed further into an R&D project for an independently developed stack-loaded FCEV. In three short years, the company presented a world-class FCEV, reaching its first goal of localizing main components. Hyundai, in aspiration to go a step further, moved onto enhancing engine power to a level similar to the internal-combustion engine, modularization of core components, development of low-priced materials and development of mass production methodology. Through these four steps, the company, in 2013, finally brought the world’s first FCEV mass production into reality.
Hydrogen, the ultimate energy for the next mobility
Hydrogen, the core drive source in FCEV, is the hottest energy source, being acclaimed as the energy source of the next generation. It can constantly be sourced through generation of hydraulic power, wind velocity and solar heat. The process of energy conversion is quite simple. The hydrogen gathered in the hydrogen storage tank in the first phase is transported to fuel cell, where it is divided into hydrogen-ions and electrons.
The hydrogen-ions from this react to the oxygen in the air and converts into water. The electrical energy produced from this chemical reaction goes through an inverter and is delivered to the motor. The very power generated from this process is transmitted to the tires, driving the vehicle. The simple process from which the electricity is generated maybe surprising; however, the very difficult job can sometimes seem very easy. Simplifying such complex and difficult process is the core technology possessed by Hyundai Motor.
Find out more about Hyundai Motor’s Fuel Cell
GO >Technology overcoming unfamiliarity and complexity
The FCEV is equipped with fuel cell stack, motor controller, battery and hydrogen tank instead of an engine in an ordinary vehicle. Roles of these parts are the followings; help the hydrogen and oxygen, each of them charged, to react and produce electricity (fuel cell stacks); generate driving force through electricity (electric power components like motor controller); safely store and supply high voltage hydrogen (hydrogen tank); and store and supply supplement energy (battery).
Of course, like other eco-friendly vehicles, an FCEV drives the motor with kinetic energy during deceleration, while charging the battery. The powertrain equipped in ix35 Fuel Cell has been recognized for its excellence, topping its name in the annual Ward’s 10 Best Engines 2015 by WardsAuto World, the U.S. automotive media.
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Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell: First of its kind (Fact 1/6)
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Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell: The future available today (Fact 2/6)
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Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell: It enhances your mobility (Fact 3/6)
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Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell: It is safe (Fact 4/6)
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Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell: It is green (Fact 5/6)
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Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell: It simply works (Fact 6/6)
Emits ZERO CO2. Enough said.
Then, what happens to the byproduct produced from the energy conversion process? Unlike the current fume exhausting vehicles, an FCEV’S byproduct from the energy generation is released in water, which goes back to nature. At this point, you may fully get the idea how the FCEV is 100% ecofriendly vehicle that does not cause pollution. In addition, as long as hydrogen exists, the source of a FCEV is limitless, and this is why the hydrogen is claimed as the new energy source.
Bluedrive, Hyundai Motor’s philosophy on eco-friendly technology
Hyundai Motor’s environmentally friendly brand “Bluedrive” is the fundamental reason behind the company’s utmost efforts into the development of FCEV. There is no carbon dioxide (CO2) in the color “blue”, which reminds of clear sky and sea. Establishing pollution-zero vehicle environments through a car that does not release a single pollutant is the ultimate goal and sole purpose of “Bluedrive”, an environmentally friendly strategy Hyundai Motor pursues.
Find out more about ix35 Fuel Cell
GO >Bluedrive Powertrains
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Plug-in Hybrid
A perfect convergence between an electric car and a hybrid car
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Hybrid
The starting point for a pollution-free society
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Electric Vehicle
The vehicle becoming part of nature
