The new Hyundai NEXO proves that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are not dead

Hydrogen fuel cell cars seemed to have already disappeared from the market. High production costs, the lack of refuelling infrastructure and their high price led the brands that had shown interest in them to stop developing them. Even so, there is at least one company that has dared to keep building them.

Hyundai has just unveiled the new NEXO, a vehicle that uses this kind of sustainable propulsion. It was presented at the Tokyo Mobility Show, alongside the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and the Inster Cross. This presentation highlights the variety of the electric car range and shows that the Korean brand is capable of offering practical solutions in electric mobility.

Japan, an important market for Hyundai

Japan is one of the markets where the Korean brand wants to grow, and the Mobility Show is one of the showcases where it can demonstrate its potential in this type of vehicle. The NEXO is therefore an important bet with which Hyundai wants to be present and show the Japanese the possibilities of its electric vehicles.

To showcase the new NEXO and the advances in hydrogen fuel cell technology, a stand has been set up where Hyundai Motor HTWO, the brand’s hydrogen solutions division, has presented several interactive contents showing the latest developments from Hyundai in this field.

The advances that Hyundai wants to show at this event are:

• Sustainability: The NEXO, like other hydrogen vehicles, emits no polluting gases, only water vapour.
• Performance: The range of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle makes it possible to reach around 826 kilometres. This comes with a refuelling time of just five minutes.
• Safety: The new NEXO features a wide catalogue of driver assistance systems developed by Hyundai, which increase safety during journeys.
• Comfort and connectivity: The Bang & Olufsen audio system delivers an active sound experience, and the ventilated front seats are combined with eco-friendly materials that respect the environment.

Hyundai Motor has prepared several spaces and activities at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, designed to attract visitors to the event. The Hydrogen Journey Zone showcases the brand’s advances in hydrogen-based technology and its use in industry.

In the EV Live Zone the IONIQ 5 was on display, so visitors can discover the E-GMP platform and the 1,000-volt fast-charging architecture, which allows more efficient use of energy. It also served as a point of information exchange between owners of the model and people interested in becoming owners.

The EV Imagination Zone was where visitors could see the INSTEROID prototype, which is inspired by video games. Its innovative design and technical features show how far Hyundai is able to go in advancing electric mobility. Finally, the display area featured units of the INSTER EV and the Elec City urban bus, along with other electric mobility models aimed at the Japanese market.

Finally, the INSTEROID Night offered the media, prominent figures in Japanese society and professionals an evening with DJs, virtual experiences and a demonstration of the model’s design philosophy.