Hyundai Australia will provide 20 next-generation Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles to the Australian Capital Territory government in 2018, as a part of the Renewable Transport Fuels Test Berth in Canberra.
The A$23 million ($17.3 million) project is being conducted by French renewable-energy company Neoen, investors Megawatt Capital and electrification specialist Siemens, through a contract with the territorial government and wind-farm company Hornsdale Windfarm Stage 3.
Hornsdale Windfarm Stage 3 will provide renewably-sourced electricity to the Renewable Transport Fuels Test Berth, which features a state-of-the-art Siemens Silyzer System hydrogen refueler. At full capacity, this state-of-the-art refueler will be capable of providing fuel-grade hydrogen H2gas for over 1000 zero-emissions Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) travelling an average of 14,000km (8,750 miles) a year – and it does so without using any fossil fuels.
The hydrogen cars supplied by Hyundai will be next-generation Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles. This advanced zero-emissions car, due for launch in 2018, will replace the current ix35 Fuel Cell, the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen-powered vehicle.
Hyundai says in most aspects of its performance – including acceleration, range, safety and practicality – the ix35 Fuel Cell is much like any other family SUV.
Hyundai Australia was the first car company in Australia to fully import a hydrogen-powered vehicle into the country – an ix35 Fuel Cell in 2015 – and the first to install a hydrogen refueler for light vehicles in Australia.
CEO Charlie Kim says it remains the country’s only operational hydrogen refueler, and is located at Hyundai’s Australian headquarters in Sydney.
“We hope this brilliant project inspires others to see the potential of hydrogen as a future fuel for our cars. This first small step toward a zero-emissions transport solution for Australia is very significant and we are proud to be involved.”
