Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
Reviews

Hyundai Tucson FCEV

By Benjamin Yong, 18 Mar, 2015 03:33 PM
  • Hyundai  Tucson FCEV

Canada’s First Zero-Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

Residents in Surrey may soon start noticing a rash of new Hyundai Tucsons in their neighbourhood. And if you find yourself driving behind one, you might notice something different — that there aren’t any exhaust fumes, or even a traditional tailpipe, for that matter. Meet the new Hyundai Tucson Hydrogen Vehicle.

In late November, the Korean auto manufacturer announced they are going to be the first in Canada to offer a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell vehicle to consumers, with the initial units arriving in the Lower Mainland in the coming months. Currently, the primary designated fuelling station in the Lower Mainland is located at Surrey’s Powertech Labs, a subsidiary of BC Hydro.

“This is not an announcement about another pilot program or some government fleet test,” said Don Romano, president and CEO of Hyundai Canada during a press conference, who held up a clear glass of water that he called “exhaust.”

“We’re going to grow a new segment in the industry by taking this first step because we’re confident in the fuel cell technology.”
Called the Tucson FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), it is based off the company’s existing compact crossover platform with the exception of the drivetrain. In fact, besides some extra badging, the re-engineered Tucson looks remarkably like its gasoline-powered sibling.

This is in stark contrast to Toyota’s take on the subject with their Mirai, a futuristic-looking hydrogen sedan that is already available in Japan and set to enter the United States later this year.

Romano said utilizing a familiar platform allows for leveraging economies of scale if and when demand grows, something he sees happening. The crossover runs quietly off a fuel cell stack that converts hydrogen gas into useable energy for the electric motor, producing 134 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. Filling up the tank is a similar process to conventional cars and takes less than five minutes — in comparison to 30 minutes, the quickest recharge time for plug-in electric vehicles — and can drive for a distance of 426 kilometres.

Eric Denhoff, president and CEO of the Canadian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association, got behind the podium to dispel some prevailing myths about the new power source.

“We’ve demonstrated that the vehicles could work here. People said ‘Hydrogen fuel cell technology won’t work, it’s not practical.’ They were wrong. They said, ‘Well, you can run demonstration fuel cells in Vancouver where it’s nice and warm, but it won’t work in the cold, it won’t work in the desert.’ They were wrong. They said ‘You’ll never have commercially available fuel cell vehicles in Canada or North America,’ and today we’re here to say: they’re wrong.”

The Tucson FCEV will be available on a three-year lease at $599 a month, and that includes all scheduled maintenance over that period, roadside assistance as well as all fuel costs. Interested parties can visit hyundaihydrogen.ca to sign up and find out more.

MORE Reviews ARTICLES

2014 Lincoln MKZ

2014 Lincoln MKZ
 Smooth handling in a mid-sized luxury car

2014 Lincoln MKZ

2014 Lexus GS 350

2014 Lexus GS 350
The new face of Lexus – superior handling, technology and styling

2014 Lexus GS 350

2014 Infiniti QX70

2014 Infiniti QX70
The best of both worlds – the utility of a crossover and the performance and looks of a luxury sports sedan

2014 Infiniti QX70

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid
Known for its reliability and reputation, the Accord is now available as a Hybrid with additional motor, battery and tweaked instrument cluster. 

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

Cadillac ELR and Tesla Model S: Two Different Approaches to Luxury Electric Vehicles

Cadillac ELR and Tesla Model S: Two Different Approaches to Luxury Electric Vehicles
Although it may have been the case once upon a time, being green no longer has to mean being boring when it comes to cars. A perfect example of this are two similar but very different automobiles, the Cadillac ELR luxury hybrid coupe and the all-electric  Tesla Model S full-size sedan. 

Cadillac ELR and Tesla Model S: Two Different Approaches to Luxury Electric Vehicles

2014 BMW 428i X Drive

2014 BMW 428i X Drive
The new 4 series picks up the technology ball and continues to run with it, offering the ability to surf the Net while you’re on road, a larger round iDrive control knob with a built-in touchpad on top and a seamless Head-Up Display that actually looks good.

2014 BMW 428i X Drive