Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled the second-generation hydrogen-powered Nexo SUV, featuring a 16% boost in fuel cell output and increased hydrogen storage capacity of up to 6.69kg.
The South Korean automotive firm says these upgrades boost the Nexo’s driving range to around 700km, up from 666km, supported by improved aerodynamics and greater fuel cell efficiency.
The Nexo’s 110kW fuel cell, paired with a 150kW electric motor and 1.56kWh battery, delivers zero-emission power on demand. Instead of plugging the vehicle in, it takes five minutes to refill the hydrogen.
The Nexo also features a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) ‘Route Planner11’ that integrates hydrogen refuelling stations into a journey. It dynamically adjusts the remaining range based on factors like air conditioning use and displays real-time energy flow, tank status, and driving mode on an intuitive interface.
In an online statement, Hyundai said the new Nexo is a “testament to the company’s leadership in the global hydrogen market.”
Last month, Hyundai announced would begin construction of its third fuel cell manufacturing facility, set to be located in Ulsan, South Korea. Reportedly, the plant will be capable of producing systems for up to 6,500 hydrogen-powered vehicles per year.
The new Nexo builds on Hyundai’s Initium concept, a hydrogen-powered SUV revealed last October which is set to begin production this year.
However, late last year, Hyundai was forced to recall all 1,600 Nexo FCEVs in the US and Canada over concerns of potential hydrogen leakage, demonstrating the potential technical and safety challenges in scaling hydrogen FCEVs.
