Hydrogen Power Goes (Almost) Mainstream

This is it, folks: the first hydrogen vehicle to be certified in Australia for sale to the general public.

- David Bonicci

The Hyundai Nexo fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is about the size of the new Hyundai Tucson, and driven by a 120kW/395Nm electric motor that is powered by electricity created by combining air and hydrogen (the latter stored in three high-pressure fuel tanks built into the rear end) in a 95kW fuel cell located under the bonnet.

The fuel cell also provides electricity to a 1.56kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, which, like a mild hybrid system, provides a power boost when taking off from a standing start, while also running the Nexo’s 12-volt electrical system.

When filled with compressed hydrogen, created with renewable energy, the Nexo can claim 100 percent emissions-free driving, with the only byproducts from the fuel-cell process being pure water and purified air.

All good, but while the Nexo is certified for sale in Australia you can’t actually buy one. If you want to be an early adopter of hydrogen you can lease one through Hyundai’s all-inclusive loan program. As for specific leasing costs, Hyundai is a little coy about that because of the various factors involved in the all-inclusive deal – but we were told to think of it as being equivalent to leasing a large premium-spec SUV.

Of course, there is an even bigger catch to owning a Nexo and that’s the lack of hydrogen refuelling stations in Australia – at the moment there are only a few public stations that are open or under construction in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

But, with a 666km WLTP range, it will go significantly further than most battery-electric vehicles on the market, and refuelling only takes about five minutes and isn’t too different to filling a car up with petrol or diesel.