Hyundai Motor to research hydrogen fuel vehicles

Washington D.C., USA: The United States Department of Energy has announced that Hyundai Motor Co. will receive government funding to further its fuel cell vehicle research and development in a five-year demonstration program.

The primary goal of the first phase of this five-year project is to demonstrate a fleet fuelling site and educate key audiences about hydrogen as a potential vehicle fuel. In addition, important safety and legal codes and standards for hydrogen refuelling technologies will be developed in conjunction with the U.S. federal government and other authorities. Chevron Texaco, the U.S.'s second-largest energy company, and UTC Fuel Cells, a leader in fuel cell production and development for commercial transportation and space applications, join Hyundai in leading the demonstration project.

The initial focus of the project will be on California where hydrogen is an important, emerging part of the state's energy. Chevron Texaco will build up to six hydrogen-refuelling stations in the Southern California area powering a fleet of Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FCHEV). The demonstration program will drive the state one step closer to implementing a practical, business-based hydrogen energy infrastructure and associated technologies.

Established in 1967, the Hyundai Automotive Group employs nearly 50,000 people worldwide and its vehicles are sold in 166 countries.