Eco Factor: Zero-emission vehicle powered by hydrogen.
Hyundai has unveiled a hydrogen-electric version of the Tucson at the Geneva Motor Show. The vehicle, also known as the ix35, features a high-pressure tank that holds about 12.3 pounds of hydrogen, which according to the company is enough for a 400 mile range.
The hydrogen in the tanks is routed through a fuel-cell stack to generate electricity, which is then stored in onboard lithium-ion batteries. The batteries fuel an electric motor rated for 134hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. The company estimates that a top speed of 99mph and a maximum range of over 400 miles is achieved with the setup.
The assembly of the vehicle has been modularized, which reduces the time needed to build each vehicle. Moreover, the plates in the fuel cell stack are switched from graphite to metal and the permanent-magnets have been replaced by induction motors. Hyundai aims to produce fuel-cell vehicles in numbers in “the low thousands” by 2012.
Via: Car and Driver