Frank Meijer, Hyundai: “Successor for ix35 Fuel Cell by 2018”
Hyundai means hydrogen. The South Korea-based global car manufacturer doesn't exclude any of the other powertrain technologies, but it sure has a lot of faith – and money – invested in hydrogen as the fuel of the future. When it comes to fuel cell technology, Hyundai is the most successful of all OEMs, says Frank Meijer, Head of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles at Hyundai Motor Europe.
15 markets
“Hyundai wasn't the first to develop fuel cell technology but we now have more than 200 hydrogen-powered vehicles on the road in 11 European markets, and 15 in total worldwide”, Frank Meijer says. Hyundai was the 1st manufacturer to start mass producing fuel cell vehicles. The first hydrogen vehicle came on the market in February 2013. Since then, the manufacturer has tested hundreds of hydrogen vehicles in total. The fact that the ix35 is operational in 15 countries is an important element in making hydrogen technology familiar, accessible and acceptable across the globe.
“And the technology is wonderful”, gushes Meijer: “It is clean, easy to use, easy to integrate in existing car models, and provides drivers and passengers with the same levels of comfort, flexibility and autonomy as diesel or petrol cars”.
€55,000 in the Netherlands
With a price set competitively at €55,000 (excl. VAT), the ix35 is already attractive in markets like Norway and the Netherlands. “But of course prices can come down when the technology becomes more widescale”, Meijer says.
The obstacles to widespread hydrogen implementation are well known, and have been for years. The biggest one is infrastructure, Meijer explains: “Hydrogen technology is well developed. Driving comfort and range autonomy are comparable to a conventional engine. Refueling is easy and fast. If you can find a fuel station”.
“And there’s part of the problem. There are far too few hydrogen refueling stations to make this a mass-production powertrain”. The reason? Money for sure has to with it: “A conventional fuel block costs less than €10,000. But a hydrogen fuel station with a normal capacity of 400-500 kWh requires an investment of €1.6 million.” Although this sounds rather negative, it doesn’t have to stay that way. “In most larger countries initiatives are in place to setup nationwide refuelling networks, e.g. when the car was introduced in 1890 it also took over 20 years before the first fuel station was build. So give it some time.”
Tax incentives
As with all other alternative powertrains incentivising hydrogen technology is an important support to make fuel cell cars more attractive. “Norway and the Netherlands have tax incentives and provide logistical advantages for fuel-cell driving. But most other markets lack the incentives, and the infrastructure. Which means that potential customers – whether private or corporate – won't make the change towards hydrogen, like we also saw with other alternative powertrains like PHEV and BEV”.
So those incentives are essential. “In spite of all the environmental idealism out there, money still is a main driver to get people to go green. For the present mentality towards hydrogen to change, hydrogen needs to become sexy – and affordable”.
Given current conditions across most of the world, that may be a long way off. But Frank Meijer remains committed, and optimistic, about hydrogen: “The green wave sweeping the automotive industry, and more specifically the regulations forcing OEMs to limit CO2 emissions will push manufacturers to develop hydrogen vehicles. In doing so, we'll move towards a tipping point. It's inevitable”.
Hydrogen Road Map
Frank Meijer believes hydrogen will be the fuel of the future. If not the immediate future, then certainly the far future. “The EU project Horizon 2020 - the EU Research and Innovation programme - has foreseen a budget of €16 billion to be invested by 2020 in technology related to hydrogen. But already by 2018, we aim to have a successor for our ix35. So we are pushing ahead, even though we realise it could take 20 or even 30 years before the technology will reach the mass-production stage”.
So in its Hydrogen Road Map, Hyundai is first focusing on gaining wider acceptance for hydrogen in the primary target markets: Norway, the Netherlands and Denmark. In a second phase Sweden, Germany and the United Kingdom will come into scope. “Let's face it, you can't be successful in automotive in Europe without success in Germany and the UK. But in the long run, hydrogen will win. If you don't believe me, try it. You won't regret it”.
