FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif.,
May 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/
-- Hyundai's zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered Tucson Fuel Cell
vehicle continues to satisfy and attract new customers focused on
high-versatility and clean transportation. For 2016, the Tucson
Fuel Cell adds convenient HomeLink® connectivity to the mirror,
allowing owners to open and close garage doors, security gates and
even control home lighting systems via a button on the rearview
mirror, which now includes a digital compass. In addition,
Tucson adds two new exterior color
options to Winter White: Hydro Blue
and Chromium Silver.
"At Hyundai, we strongly believe that hydrogen-powered fuel cell
vehicles represent the next generation of zero-emission vehicle
technology, and we're proud to be a leader in offering the
mass-produced Tucson Fuel Cell to our customers," said Dave Zuchowski, president and chief executive
officer, Hyundai Motor America. "Every day, these customers are
enjoying the benefits of refueling speed and superior range that
compare favorably with gasoline vehicles, providing a seamless
transition from traditional vehicles with minimal loss of utility.
We're confident that advancing fuel cell technology will increase
the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, and that everyone will
benefit."
The Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell has also received strong support
from government agencies, such as the California Air Resources
Board. "These ultra-clean vehicles play a critical role in our
efforts to clean the air and meet our climate goals," said Air
Resources Board chairman Mary D.
Nichols. "Fuel cell cars are not vehicles of the future –
they're here now, and we applaud Hyundai for bringing them first to
market in California where they
are most needed."
FUEL CELL PRICING AND BENEFITS
The Tucson Fuel Cell lease program remains unchanged for 2016.
Customers in the Los
Angeles/Orange County
region can drive Hyundai's next-generation Tucson Fuel Cell for
just $499 per month for a 36-month
term, with a $2,999 down payment.
This includes the addition of a remarkable benefit – unlimited
complimentary hydrogen refueling and At Your Service Valet
Maintenance at no extra cost.
"When we spoke with customers about fuel cell vehicles, many
wondered about the cost of hydrogen," explained Mike O'Brien, vice president, corporate and
product planning. "To ease those concerns as the hydrogen refueling
network builds out, we decided that covering this cost for these
early adopters was appropriate, and consistent with how we like to
treat our customers."
In addition, Tucson Fuel Cell owners will enjoy similar services
enjoyed by Hyundai Equus owners, such as At Your Service Valet
Maintenance, at no extra cost. Similar to what Equus owners have
enjoyed since its introduction in 2010, should a Tucson Fuel Cell
require any service, a Hyundai dealer will pick up the vehicle and
provide a loan vehicle, then return the car after service to the
customer's home or business, at no charge.
Customers interested in the Tucson Fuel Cell can indicate their
interest (the first step in the ordering process) by visiting
Hyundai.com. Retail consumers can find availability at three select
southern California Hyundai dealers: Win Hyundai in Carson, Tustin Hyundai, and Hardin Hyundai in
Anaheim. Availability of the
Tucson Fuel Cell will expand to other regions of the U.S.
consistent with the accelerating deployment of hydrogen refueling
stations.
TUCSON FUEL CELL
ADVANTAGES
Hyundai has developed its Tucson Fuel Cell to alleviate some of
the range and utility limitations of traditional battery electric
vehicles. The Tucson Fuel Cell maintains the day-to-day flexibility
of the gasoline-powered Tucson, so
that its driver is able to fulfill their transportation needs
without range or recharging-time concerns to their lifestyle.
The Tucson Fuel Cell is an advanced electric vehicle – one that
creates its own electricity, on-board, from hydrogen. According to
the University of California, Irvine
Advanced Power and Energy Program's 2013 study, the hydrogen fuel
cell provides comparable total well-to-wheel emissions to a battery
electric vehicle. For the Tucson Fuel Cell driver, this social
benefit is achieved with greater utility, versatility and without
compromises. Consider:
- Driving range of 265 miles
- Refueling time similar to gasoline vehicle of same size
- Minimal reduction in daily utility compared with its gasoline
counterpart
- Instantaneous electric motor torque
- Minimal cold-weather effects compared with battery-electric
vehicles
- Superb daily reliability and long-term durability
- No moving parts within the power-generating fuel cell
stack
- More than two million durability test miles on Hyundai's fuel
cell fleet since 2000
- Extensive crash, fire and leak testing successfully
completed
- Quieter EV operation
- Zero greenhouse-gas emissions, emits only water vapor
The Tucson Fuel Cell began mass production in February 2013 at the Ulsan, Korea assembly plant
that also manufactures the Tucson
gasoline-powered CUV. Manufacturing the Tucson Fuel Cell at the
same plant allows Hyundai to leverage both the high quality and
cost-efficiency of its popular gasoline-powered Tucson platform.
HYDROGEN RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS
The benefits of hydrogen are well known - required supplies for
the U.S. market can be produced domestically and its supply is
virtually unlimited. It can be produced by varied means - including
renewable sources such as biogas. Hydrogen can even be sourced
directly from water, using electrolysis to split hydrogen molecules
with electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and
solar.
Further supporting hydrogen infrastructure development,
California approved a plan in 2013
to develop up to 100 hydrogen refueling stations in the state over
the next several years. This recent California initiative dovetails with increased
government support of hydrogen infrastructure development at the
federal level, such as H2USA. In addition, the California Energy
Commission recently announced proposed awarding of $44.5 million for the development of 28 new
hydrogen stations (plus one mobile refueler), bringing the total
number of hydrogen fueling stations (open, in-development, and
proposed) to over 50 stations.
FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY: HOW IT WORKS
Hyundai's fuel cell effectively replaces the battery pack used
in an electric vehicle by generating electricity from hydrogen
through an electrochemical process that does not involve hydrogen
combustion, with no moving parts within the fuel cell stack.
The fuel cell electrochemical process is as follows:
- Hydrogen enters the anode, air (oxygen) enters the cathode
- Catalyst splits the hydrogen electrons and protons
- Electrolyte conducts the positively-charged ions while blocking
the electrons
- Electrons are used to create an external circuit, generating
electricity
- Catalyst combines the hydrogen ions and electrons with oxygen
to create water and heat energy
- A single fuel cell produces approximately one volt; fuel cells
are "stacked" to meet voltage requirements
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of
Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed
throughout the United States by
Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than
830 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S.
are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the
5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty,
Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five
years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link
Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the
Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care
services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services
include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside
Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report
and in-vehicle service scheduling.
For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please
visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com
Please visit our media website at
www.hyundainews.com and our blog at www.hyundailikesunday.com
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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America