EU officials testing fuel-cell Hyundai

The Hyundai ix35 fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) has been selected by the European Commission-backed Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) to be used as a demonstration vehicle to test and promote hydrogen fuel cell technology in a real-world environment.As part of the announcement made yesterday at the FCH JU-organised "Joint Technology Initiatives:
May 4, 2012 Read time: 2 mins

The 236 Hyundai ix35 fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) has been selected by the 2465 European Commission-backed Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) to be used as a demonstration vehicle to test and promote hydrogen fuel cell technology in a real-world environment.

As part of the announcement made yesterday at the FCH JU-organised “Joint Technology Initiatives: Innovation in Action” exhibition in Brussels, the ix35 FCEV will be made available for Members of European Parliament, Commissioners, EU officials and other policymakers to test drive until March 2012.

The decision moves Hyundai a step closer to the commercialisation of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles by 2015.  Debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010, the ix35 features important innovations over previous-generation Hyundai FCEVs, including a 55 per cent improvement in driving range and an 80 per cent reduction in manufacturing costs.

Earlier this year, Hyundai signed a memorandum of understanding with the municipality of Copenhagen to establish the necessary infrastructure for the supply and use of FCEVs in Denmark.

Maria da Graça Carvalho MEP, Member of the Industry Committee and host of the exhibition Joint Technology Initiatives, said: “Fuel cell vehicles, such as the ix35 FCEV, have great potential to help fight carbon dioxide emissions, reduce our dependence on hydrocarbons and contribute to economic growth.  I am sure my fellow members of the European Parliament will embrace the opportunity to test the viability of hydrogen technology.”

The ix35 FCEV is based on the award-winning compact SUV, ix35 which was designed and engineered in Europe for European motorists.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Hitachi helps to build a better Stockholm
    November 19, 2024
    The ZE135 electric excavator has been put to the test on a high-profile development in the Stockholm Green Innovation District. This new growth area for technology and sustainability is being developed with the goal of renewing and building urban spaces with climate-smart solutions.
    Read More
  • Interview with Jean Todt – FIA president
    January 19, 2018
    Reducing the death and injury toll on the world's roads is a key priority. It is estimated that every year, 1.25 million people die on the world’s roads. With motorisation and urbanisation to increase in many parts of the developing world in the years to come, there is every likelihood that this number could rise. Can you explain why so many lives are needlessly lost every year on our roads and why greater action isn’t being taken to address this?
    Read More
  • Charging 'Roundtable' urges standardisation
    July 23, 2025
    A lack of standardisation for charging infrastructure is holding back the push towards the construction machine sector going electric. Now, a recently established “roundtable” of industry experts will investigate how to move forward.
    Read More
  • A vision for safer roads in the West Balkans
    March 6, 2017
    The West Balkan countries are at a turning point in their political resolve to address road traffic injuries, but must step up efforts on the ground to deploy sustained and systemic responses to what has become a major public health crisis
    Read More

Highlighted Content