Happy Hyundai of Oak Lawn (http://www.myhappyhyundai.com/HoursAndDirections?siteMapItemName=4721001254253871629) has announced that the Korean automaker is working to develop viable fuel-cell production vehicles as quickly as possible. In fact, Hyundai has already created a Tucson based SUV that runs on Hydrogen fuel cells, and a few examples are on the roads in Europe. Hyundai has also signed on to an initiative called H2USA with a number of other automakers to work together to advance the development of affordable and reliable fuel cell vehicles. In fact, Hyundai may be able to have a fuel cell vehicle available in the United States—and not just a limited release test run—as early as 2015.
Hyundai has invested significantly in fuel cell technology, which it sees as a better alternative to battery powered electric vehicles or hybrid electric cars. Fuel cell vehicles run on compressed hydrogen. Inside the fuel cell itself the hydrogen is combined with oxygen in the atmosphere. That process creates electricity, which is stored in a battery and used to run the vehicle. The only waste product is water.
The first Hyundai fuel cell vehicle is called the iX35, and is based on the 2013 Hyundai Tucson (http://www.myhappyhyundai.com/2013-hyundai-tucson). The fuel cell powertrain can propel that vehicle at speeds up to 100 mph. The range is about 270 miles with a full tank of hydrogen. Unlike electric cars, which often take between two and twelve hours to charge, a fuel cell vehicle only requires a few minutes to fuel up—no longer than a regular gasoline powered vehicle.
The major problem standing in the way of widespread fuel cell vehicle adoption is the infrastructure for compressed hydrogen distribution. While hydrogen itself is easy to come across, the facilities that collect and compress it are expensive. Gil Castillo, a group manager for alternative vehicle strategy at Hyundai Motor America said, “Our partnership with the Energy Department and H2USA is another way Hyundai is striving to meet the critical social needs for both mobility and environmental preservation.”
Happy Hyundai is a leading Chicago area Hyundai dealer (http://www.myhappyhyundai.com/Welcome) providing new Hyundai sales, used cars, and a full service repair center. Happy Hyundai is located at 8900 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Lawn, just a short drive from downtown Chicago.
