Hyundai-developed Fuel Cells Successfully Complete First U.S. Test FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., (August 25, 2008) – Hyundai celebrated
the successful completion of a 13-day, cross-country road trip which served as
the first significant U.S. test for the company’s proprietary fuel cell
technology. Two Tucson Fuel Cell Elective Vehicles (FCEVs) powered by
Hyundai-developed fuel cell stacks completed the nearly 7,000 km (4,300 mile)
event today in Los Angeles as part of the Hydrogen Road Tour 2008. Nine auto
manufacturers, the U.S. Department of Energy, the California Fuel Cell
Partnership, National Hydrogen Association and U.S. Department of Transportation
sponsored and participated in the event which started August 11 in Portland,
Maine. The road trip consisted of 34 tour stops in 31 different cities across
the country reaching communities such as New York City, Atlanta, Ga., Las Vegas,
Nev., and Phoenix, Ariz., before rolling to the finish-line event in Exposition
Park.
The two Tucson FCEVs exceeded expectations throughout the event,
demonstrating again that zero-emission vehicles can operate in real-world
driving conditions. The vehicles recorded exceptional range of 300 km (185
miles) per refueling, and achieved top speeds of 150 kph (95 mph). At the
conclusion of the tour, the Tucson FCEVs with Hyundai fuel cell technology will
be added to a fleet of more than 30 Hyundai and Kia FCEVs taking part in testing
programs throughout the country.
Participants successfully completing the tour included vehicles from BMW,
Daimler, General Motors, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen.
Hyundai is a member of the California Fuel Cell Partnership, a collaboration
of organizations including auto manufacturers, energy providers, fuel cell
technology companies and government agencies working together to promote the
commercialization of fuel cell vehicles. Hyundai has been a member of the
Partnership since 2000, and began testing its first-ever U.S. fuel cell vehicle
at Partnership headquarters in Sacramento, Calif. in 2001.
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai-Kia
Automotive Group, which includes over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and
affiliates. Further information about Hyundai Motor Co. and its products is
available on the Internet at http://www.hyundai-motor.com |