Hyundai hydrogen fuel vehicle chosen again for demonstration in Europe

May 8, 2014 0 By Tami Hood

Hydrogen Fuel Hyundai Tucson ix35 hydrogen powered car

Hyundai’s ix35 is again chosen to demonstrate the capabilities of fuel cells

Hyundai’s ix35 hydrogen-powered vehicle has been chosen, yet again, to demonstrate the capabilities of fuel cell technology in transportation. This is the third time the vehicle has been chosen by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking to showcase hydrogen-powered transportation in Europe. Hyundai is currently the only automaker that has begun to mass produce its fuel cell vehicles and has been promoting the idea of clean transportation quite aggressively over the past few years.

EU officials will make use of ix35 once again

European Union officials will again be testing the Hyundai ix35 and learn more about how these vehicles work. Over the past three years, EU officials have made use of these vehicles, each time developing a better understanding of fuel cells and how they can be used in transportation. Most officials have praised the vehicle for its efficiency and performance, but some have expressed concern for the lack of a fuel infrastructure that can support the ix35 and its counterparts being developed by other automakers. Without a comprehensive fuel infrastructure in place, fuel cell vehicles will not likely find any degree of success.

European countries are taking steps to develop hydrogen fuel infrastructure

The Hyundai ix35 is actually already available to the public in Europe, but only through leasing programs. The vehicle has managed to attract acclaim from those making use of it, even without the support of a comprehensive hydrogen fuel infrastructure. Currently, the European Union is working to address the infrastructure issue and countries like Germany, Denmark, Sweden, France, and the United Kingdom are taking steps to build new hydrogen fuel stations ahead of the commercial launch of other fuel cell vehicles.

Some automakers will wait until a fuel infrastructure is in place to release their fuel cell vehicles

Most major automakers plan to release their hydrogen-powered vehicles in 2015. Some have opted to wait longer, however, in order to observe how well the vehicles coming from their competitors perform in markets that are lacking any significant infrastructure support. Most of the automakers waiting to launch their fuel cell vehicles are hoping that an expansive fuel infrastructure will be established in the relatively near future.

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