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Hyundai has today announced that the
ix35 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) will have its UK debut at
EcoVelocity, the low-carbon motor festival at London’s Battersea Power
Station (8th – 11th September).
EcoVelocity visitors can be among the
first in the world to experience future travel in a hydrogen-powered
car, with passenger rides available in the ix35 FCEV. The vehicle is
Hyundai’s third-generation FCEV and it demonstrates the company’s work
on cutting-edge alternative fuels.
Boasting the same convenience as
today’s vehicles powered by traditional internal combustion engines, the
ix35 FCEV has a driving range of 360miles (580 Km), a maximum
speed of 100 mph and zero-to-62mph time of 12.8 seconds. The fuel cell
stack can operate at sub-zero temperatures as low as -25 degrees
Celsius, and unlike a combustion-engined car, the ix35’s only emissions
are water vapour.
This vehicle moves Hyundai closer to
the commercialisation of fuel cell electric vehicles, and the aim is to
bring an FCEV to market in the next few years.
Earlier this year, the Hyundai Motor
Group signed a memorandum of understanding with four Northern European
countries to operate test fleets of FCEVs. Test drives have already been
carried out in Korea and Copenhagen.
Hyundai UK’s managing director, Tony
Whitehorn, commented: “We are extremely excited to be showcasing the
ix35 FCEV in the UK for the first time at EcoVelocity. Hyundai is a
world leader in the development of hydrogen-powered technology and is
constantly researching and developing modes of transportation that use
alternative fuels at the Eco-technology research institute in Mabuk,
Korea.
"The ultimate goal would be to see
zero-emission vehicles on UK roads within the next few years; however,
the market and local infrastructure will be the real determinant of
this. In the interim, Hyundai is working hard to make internal
combustion engines as efficient as possible.”
Also featuring on the Hyundai stand
will be the sub-100g/km CO2 i10 Blue and the recently
launched i20 Blue. The i10 Blue is powered by a 1.0-litre Kappa
three-cylinder petrol engine returning an impressive 67.3mpg combined.
The i20 Blue is powered by a 1.4-litre CRDi four-cylinder engine
with76.4mpg on a combined cycle. Due to their low emissions, both
vehicles offer exemption from VED and the London Congestion Charge.
Visitors will also be able to see
Hyundai’s two newest models on the stand - the all-new i40 Tourer, due
to go on-sale on September 8 and the Veloster coupe due to launch later
this year.
EcoVelocity will run from September 8
-11th at Battersea Power Station and will feature the latest
green models, including electric, hybrid and low CO2-emitting
cars, as well as providing test drives on a specially-constructed
circuit in the shadow of the famous power station.
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