Hyundai H350 Fuel Cell, new at IAA 2016

Hyundai H350 Fuel Cell

At the International Motor Show for Commercial Vehicles (IAA) 2016, held from 21 to 29 September, Hyundai unveiled the H350 Fuel Cell Concept. It is based on the production H350 and showcases the potential of the company’s advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology in the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment.

This H350 Fuel Cell concept is a vision of the future for commercial vehicles, pursuing an alternative propulsion system that is cleaner and more effective. Unlike a conventional electric vehicle, which requires several hours to recharge, the 175-litre hydrogen tank can be refilled in under four minutes, a time similar to that needed to fill a petrol or diesel tank in a vehicle with a traditional internal combustion engine.

The design of this propulsion system means the H350’s load capacity is not affected in the slightest. Depending on the wheelbase, the H350 offers a space of 10.5 m³ or 12.9 m³, enough to accommodate five Euro pallets, or to provide room for a 14-seat passenger cabin.

Instrument cluster of the Hyundai H350 Fuel Cell

Its almost silent operation means that deliveries made at night in urban areas will not disturb the peace of residents living nearby. This reduces noise pollution as well as environmental impact, since the only emission is water.

The Fuel Cell propulsion system is capable of producing up to 136 CV of power, allowing the H350 Fuel Cell Concept to reach speeds of up to 150 km/h, performance similar to any commercial vehicle using an equivalent internal combustion engine. It has a total range of 422 km, allowing it to cover long distances.

The propulsion system of the H350 Fuel Cell consists of a hydrogen tank, a fuel cell stack, a high-voltage battery, an inverter and an electric motor. The 700-bar high-pressure hydrogen tanks, located under the floor of the vehicle between the two axles, store 7.05 kg of compressed hydrogen, which is then split into protons and electrons in the fuel cell stack. The electricity produced by the fuel cell is stored in a compact 24 kW lithium-polymer battery, with the inverter converting the energy into alternating current to power the 100 kW electric motor.

Hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system

Hyundai opened the world’s first mass-production plant for fuel cell vehicles in 2013, making it a global leader in the development of this technology. The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell is the world’s first mass-produced, commercially available fuel cell vehicle. This demonstrates that this type of propulsion represents a truly viable option for everyday vehicles, from cars to light commercial vehicles.

Source | Hyundai