Koreans forge ahead with fuel-cell model

16.06.10

Seoul - Korea's largest automotive set apart, Hyundai-Kia, aims to be at the vanguard of hydrogen-powered mobility and will launch a fuel-cell maquette of an existing vehicle within the next two years, UK-based Autocar magazine reports.

Hyundai-Kia intends to inaugurate commercial production of around 10,000 hydrogen fuel-cell cars in 2015, said Byung Ki Ahn, ordinary manager of the company's Fuel Cell Group.

The carmaker is confident that by then lawmakers in Europe, North America and Japan will have boosted hydrogen handiwork and created the necessary refuelling infrastructure.

Hyundai has been developing its own fuel-cell stacks since 2005 and reports outstanding progress. Engineers say they have doubled the cruising range of the fuel-cell-powered 2006 Sportage to 460 miles and increased its operating subsistence to around 10 years. Mazda has also reported success in using hydrogen to power a Wankel-engined sports car.

Chief German manufacturer BMW recently abandoned its hydrogen

Source: Earthtimes