Talk of hydrogen-powered cars was once reserved for corners of motor shows dedicated to concept cars that run on cabbage juice. But Hyundai, whose vehicles are stocked at Howards Group right across the south west of England, has well and truly entered the space age, with its hydrogen fuel-cell ix35, offering zero emissions.
Amazingly, you won’t sacrifice too much in performance when you’re saving the planet – because the ix35 Fuel Cell packs a remarkable 133bhp electric motor.
It’s a crossover SUV that starts at £53,105. This includes a grant of almost £15,000 from the HyFive project. That’s a European venture looking to deploy 110 fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) from five car-manufacturing countries.
This is a great way of feeling smug about doing your bit for the planet. Hyundai have also helped establish another three stations in London, thanks to the ix35. So that’ll be five in total by the end of 2015. OK, so that’s not 105, but at least your detour won’t cost the Earth. If you’re on your way to Cornwall, you can also top up in Swindon.
Hyundai is no doubt feeling very proud of itself as the ix35 is the world’s first mass-produced fuel-cell electric vehicle. It’s already been sold to selected corporate and public-sector customers since 2013 and you can spot it in 15 countries, including 11 in Europe.
That 133bhp motor allows your ix35 to reach 100mph, which isn’t too shabby for something that’s greener than Kermit. The ix35 stores its hydrogen in two tanks, which hold 5.64kg. That’s a range of 369 miles on one fill.
You could even take it to the North Pole, as Hyundai says the ix35 will start in temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius. It stores energy in a 24kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. Don’t worry, a degree in polymer science isn’t required to drive one.
This is the fourth-generation fuel cell-powered electric vehicle from Hyundai. The firm has learned a little more each time and has used its knowledge to improve both on range – increased by over 50% – and fuel efficiency.
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are very much on the up. The Toyota Mirai goes on sale later this year and the hydrogen refuelling network should number 80 locations by 2020.
Hyundai believes that hydrogen is the future of sustainable motoring. Considering it makes up about 75% of the known universe, that’s a pretty good call. Hydrogen is unlikely to run out in the same way that finite fossil fuels (petrol and diesel) are likely to.
Passing hydrogen through a fuel cell is a much more efficient way of creating energy and the car can store the energy created. Suck on that, dirty old fossil fuels.
The trump card in the renewable-energy game, though, is the prospect of zero exhaust emissions. This means that the only emissions from your car will be clean, recyclable ones. Which should give you a healthy glow of self-satisfaction.
Talk to Howards Group in the south west about Hyundai cars. Call us today on 01935 678120 or email us here.
Image Credits: DDCoral, Shutterstock