Within the category of zero-emissions options, the hydrogen fuel cell is constantly being eclipsed by electric power. But Hyundai at least thinks it’s worth some attention. The South Korean company’s Nexo SUV recently drove 484 miles (779 km) across France, setting a new world record for the longest distance traveled in a hydrogen-powered vehicle on a single tank. Hyundai chose Bertrand Piccard – Swiss psychiatrist, balloonist and president of the environmental foundation Solar Impulse – to take the wheel of the Nexo. As a champion of zero-emissions travel, Piccard has already circumnavigated the globe in a hot air balloon and a solar-powered plane. “With this adventure, we have proven that with clean technologies, we no longer need revolutionary experimental prototypes to break records,” Piccard said. “Everyone can now do it with standard zero-emission vehicles. A new era in performance is beginning, for the benefit of environmental protection.”The drive took Piccard – along with some famous passengers including government officials and European royalty like H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and the Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg – along a tour of Northeastern France, allegedly purifying about as much air as 23 adults breathe in a day and keeping the approximately 111.2 kg of carbon dioxide a gas-powered vehicle would’ve emitted over that distance out of the atmosphere.The Hyundai Nexo also made news earlier this year for its stellar performance in the IIHS crash tests, where it not only didn’t erupt into a fiery ball, but also scored a Top Safety Pick+ award on top of multiple “Good” and “Acceptable” ratings for its safety setups.LISTEN: Electric vehicle clubs have been around for decades, and up until just recently their memberships consisted of backyard tinkerers converting gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles. Now that most global automakers are producing EVs, where does that leave these clubs? In this week’s episode of Plugged In we talk with Bruce Stout of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association about that and much more. Plugged In is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.Is the player not working? Click
Origin: Hyundai Nexo sets hydrogen fuel-cell long-distance record
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Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel-cell Nexo earns top crash safety award
The hydrogen fuel-cell-powered Hyundai Nexo has just undergone its first crash test, and subsequently, one of the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safetys (IIHS) first crash tests of a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle.Not only did the vehicle pass, it also earned a Top Safety Pick+ award, plus a load of Good and Acceptable ratings for its other safety systems. Most importantly, however, the Nexo didnt explode into a giant ball of flames.Per the IIHS, to qualify for a 2019 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests.It also needs an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and a good headlight rating. The NEXO, a midsize premium SUV, has good ratings in all six crashworthiness tests.Hydrogen doesnt have the best reputation for not exploding remember the H-bomb? The H stands for hydrogen. The infamous Hindenburg zeppelin was also filled with hydrogen. Luckily, hydrogen technology has come a long way since the days of using it as a literal bomb or of trying to hold it in a big balloon. Part of the reason the vehicle didnt toast marshmallows immediately after its small-overlap crash is the hydrogen tanks are fairly well-protected by the body of the vehicle, and are located underneath the rear seats.Theres more to the safety of the tanks than just the placement. In fact, Hyundai recently released a video explain more of the safety features of the
Origin: Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel-cell Nexo earns top crash safety award
Hyundai, Toyota pause fuel-cell sales over explosion in Norway
A hydrogen fuel station in Sandvika, Norway, was totally ripped apart when an explosion occurred, prompting Toyota and Hyundai to pause the sale of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for sale. According to local news site NRK, two people were hospitalized when the shockwave of the explosion set off their airbags. A 500-metre safety zone was also established around the site. Nel, the station operator, has closed its other hydrogen fueling stations in Norway as a precaution. It is too early to speculate about the cause, Nel boss Jon André Løkke said in a phone interview. Our top priority is the safe operation of the stations we supply. As a precaution, we have temporarily closed 10 more stations until further information is available. The station was the first of a new generation that the company implemented, opening in November 2016. The design allowed the hydrogen to be placed farther away from other components, as gave it a much smaller footprint. In a statement, Toyota exec Epsen Olsen said the automaker will temporarily stop selling the Mirai until we have learned what has happened, and for practical reasons since there’s no place to fill them up. Local news shared several videos from witnesses who saw the ensuing fire. Electrive reports two experts have been flown in from Denmark to advise the rescue crew and help investigate the exact cause.
Origin: Hyundai, Toyota pause fuel-cell sales over explosion in Norway
Ineos considering fuel-cell version of Projekt Grenadier 4×4
The Projekt Grenadier 4×4, the heavy-duty off-roader by Ineos, is being planned with a potential hydrogen fuel-cell version. An engineering study into the fuel cell 4×4 is scheduled to be started shortly to “assess the feasibility and production of a hydrogen fuel cell powered 4×4” according to documents seen by Autocar. The description is included in a list of £25m worth of government grants awarded yesterday, and announced at the FT’s “Future of the Car Summit 2019”. Transport minister Jesse Norman made the announcement “for the next round of low-carbon vehicle projects for vehicles that are not just clean, but connected too”. Details of the Grenadier fuel-cell are sketchy, but the feasibility study will also explore “vehicle requirements, system design and components supply” making it a comprehensive look at the design and manufacturing practicalities of the high-tech 4×4. Government figures show that the feasibility study will cost a relatively modest £249k and the government will provide £124k. “The support for these projects is key to the delivery of the government’s Road-to-Zero strategy which aims to put the UK at the forefront of the design and manufacturing of zero emissions vehicles,” said the Department of Transport. The Grenadier Projekt is being funded by chemicals giant Ineos, created from part of the former ICI empire, and owned by Jim Ratcliffe, one of the UK’s richest men. The 4×4 is modelled on the last-generation Land Rover Defender with unbeatable off-road performance and easy repair as its key design criteria. Ineos describes it as an “uncompromising 4×4”. An engine supply deal has been signed with BMW and engineering is being handled in Germany by a consultancy. A missing link is a factory, although Ford’s Bridgend plant has been rumoured as a possible
Origin: Ineos considering fuel-cell version of Projekt Grenadier 4×4
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