Hyundai Set to Launch Hydrogen-Powered HGV

At the 2018 IAA Commercial Vehicle show based in Hanover, Germany, Hyundai will launch a large lorry driven by a fuel cell of clean hydrogen – hoping to steal a march on forthcoming eco-friendly models from Tesla and Daimler.

Image Credit

The Advantages of Hydrogen

Long-distance heavy vehicles are suited to using hydrogen, unlike 100 per cent electric vehicles, which have range limits and a long refuelling time. The battery also degrades. Hyundai, however, anticipates that its fleet of trucks will be able to go 400km on a single fuel stop.

Hyundai also claims that switching to hydrogen vehicles will preserve the jobs of component manufacturers – the required parts can be made by existing suppliers (unlike vehicles powered by battery).

The Scientific Basis

Hydrogen cars and trucks are basically electric vehicles, with their wheels are directly powered by electric motors. The difference is that they have a hydrogen fuel cell stack – a generator on board which uses pressurised hydrogen gas for power.

Image Credit

As the fuel cell can be filled in a moment, eliminating the lengthy charge times of electric cars, it enables zero-emissions clean motoring. It’s not all plain sailing as yet, however, because in the UK there are only a few filling stations that cater for hydrogen vehicles.

Hyundai’s Previous Form

The South Korean company launched the Tucson Fuel Cell (the first mass-produced hydrogen car in the world) in 2013. However, it has only sold just over 1,000 vehicles since then. Meanwhile, following the launch in 2014 of its Mirai hydrogen car, Toyota has sold nearly 7,000 of the vehicles.

HGV Insurance is necessary if you have a fleet of vehicles. You can look online for HGV insurance.

The Financial Times investigates the new vehicle here: https://www.ft.com/content/6eebd8da-bc7d-11e8-94b2-17176fbf93f5.

What It Will Look Like

We have an idea of what to expect when this HGV finally arrives for sale. Classic Hyundai styling – with blue accents on top of an aerodynamic grille – will apply to this HGV truck, as it does to the brand’s cars; in addition, the new truck boasts made-over eco underpinnings.

According to Hyundai, the geometric grille design symbolises hydrogen. The side body features similar patterns. The look is polished off by wheel trims which are aerodynamic, and there is a side protector which contributes to the truck’s sleek looks and efficiency.