The Hyundai ix35 FCEV has been chosen for the second year running as the FCEV of choice for the European Commission-backed Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU).
But as governments (perhaps) start to wake up to the fact that the BEV car is a road to nowhere – or nowhere far, at least, with its limited range and the current state of battery technology – they are starting to see hydrogen-powered vehicles as a realistic future for a world that doesn’t have to rely on fossil fuels for transport.
So, for the second year running, the European Commission-backed Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) has chosen the Hyundai ix35 FCEV to be made available to members of the European Parliament, European Commission officials and other policymakers for test drives in Brussels to prove that an FCEV drives just like an ICE car and can be refuelled just as easily.
It’s all part of a plan to get legislators on-side and get government help to roll-out a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and make FCEVs the default choice of alternatively fuelled vehicles.
B K Rimsaid, President of Hyundai MotorEurope, said:
We are delighted that the FCH JU has chosen the ix35 Fuel Cell as its European demonstration vehicle and look forward to working with them to promote the benefits of hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
We are sure that the leading policymakers and opinion-formers who drive this remarkable vehicle will find its ability to deliver performance and comfort without compromising its eco-friendly nature withtailpipe emissions highly compelling.
Maybe, just maybe, the tide is turning against BEVs and in the direction of the FCEV,
Jonas Blomberg says
Predictions are always uncertain. Fuel cells are much simpler than internal combustion motors. Eventually they will be cheaper. Remember the mechanical calculating machines based on the abacus that ruled the world in the 50ies? They were completely overrun by mini calculators based on the transistor within a decade. I think the change will be rather swift when it occurs. Moving electrons is cheaper than moving metal parts. Hydrogen is one of several fossil-free fuel cell fuels. However, it is a realistic alternative. It is safe if handled correctly. Oxygen sensors inside hydrogen tanks, plus hydrogen sensors outside of them are necessary.
Brendan says
Isn’t it potentially lethal to have cars running round the road with high pressure hydrogen stored in them?
Cars UK says
Actually, no. Apart from the fact it’s almost impossible to rupture the fuel storage, even in a big accident, hydrogen drifts up in the the atmosphere and disappears rather than pooling like petrol – obviously much safer.
SimonSez says
In theory a hydrogen powered car makes sense but in practice are we anywhere close to being able to build them at a sensible price or deliver hydrogen fuel at a sensible cost?