Hyundai Motor Company introduced second generation FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) that is applied with purification technology that filters at least 9% of super-fine dust that is in the air. It has prepared its own productivity through internalization of hydrogen fuel cell, which is the major technology of its FCEV. Through preceding technologies and production system that are difficult to be seen from other global automotive manufacturers, it has prepared itself a foundation that will allow itself to grab upper hands in future eco-friendly car markets.
Hyundai Motor Company held a ‘Next-Generation FCEV Media Briefing Session’ at 63 Convention Center on the 17th and introduced its ‘next-generation FCEV’ for the first time. Its goal is to release this next-generation FCEV in January of 2018 with maximum range of 580km. It is likely that this new FCEV will cost about $61,360 (70 million KRW).
Major competitive edge of Hyundai Motor Company’ second generation FCEV is internalization of hydrogen fuel cell that is almost equivalent to an engine of a car. Hyundai Motor Company developed its own MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) and metallic separator, which have highest level of difficulty out of three major technologies (MEA, separator, GDL (Gas Diffusion Layer)), for fuel cells of FCEV and have prepared mass-production system for its fuel cells in Chungju. It has greatly improved energy efficiency, battery performance, durability, and compression and storage capability of hydrogen gas by developing its own powertrain such as electric motor, reducer, inverter, and converter that are optimized for FCEV.
“Second generation FCEV has 60% better system efficiency than first generation FCEV through internalization of fuel cells and development of powertrain such as electric motor and its competitive edge in price is also far superior than our competitors through production systems that are optimized for major parts of FCEV.” said Director (Executive Director) Lee Ki-sang of Hyundai Motor Company’s Environment Technical Center.
On the same day, Hyundai Motor Company also introduced purification technology for super-fine dust for the first time. Hydrogen fuel cell is based on a structure that turns chemical energy that is produced when oxygen reacts with hydrogen and air into electricity. In order to maximize efficiency in conversion from chemical energy into electricity, Hyundai Motor Company introduced its own purification technology. Its technology filters air that is suctioned for the first time through a filter that has purification ability between 97% and 99% and purifies this air again through humidification device and fuel cell stack GDL.
“Not only does our optimized design simplifies purification structure but it also filters at least 99% of PM-10 and PM-2.5.” said a representative for Hyundai Motor Company. “When a FCEV drives 15,000km annually, it has an effect of purifying air that is inhaled by two adults in a year.”
Hyundai Motor Company is going to introduce the name of its second generation FCEV at ‘CES 2018’, which will be held in the U.S. in January of 2018, and have test-drives by combining its FCEV with self-driving technology. Including ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) that is based on Hyundai Motor Company’s HMI (Human-Machine Interface), it is planning to introduce high-tech safety features such as remote automatic driving assistance and highway driving assistance.
“We are planning to demonstrate self-driving technology of our FCEV on highways early next year.” said Executive Director Lee Ki-sang. “While importance of eco-friendly cars is growing due to severe environmental problems such as fine dust, we are going to lead future eco-friendly markets by mobilizing all technical abilities into developing eco-friendly cars.”
Staff Reporter Park, Taejoon | gaius@etnews.com