https://insideevs.com/hyundai-delivers-first-nexo-fuel-cell-suv-in-u-s/
JAN 1 2019 BY
MARK KANE
Deliveries of Hyundai NEXO in the U.S. have begun
Hyundai has delivered its first NEXO hydrogen fuel cell SUV in the U.S.
market. The car went to a former scientist and chemist Todd Hochrad of
Ventura, California.
The new owner is already an electrification veteran with experience with
hybrids and electric cars:
“Mr. Hochrad isn’t the typical automotive buyer, yet he’s the sort
of customer looking to drive a zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered vehicle.
More than 15 years ago, he purchased his first hybrid car and over the
years has driven dedicated electric vehicles as well. His new NEXO will
deliver about five times the driving range of his first all-electric car.”
The NEXO was introduced in South Korea earlier this year and Hyundai
sold around 600 through the end of November. Hyundai believes that FCVs
are the future of automotive, spending billions on hydrogen fuel cell
investments and the FCV platform, but at least for now Kona Electric
alone attracted 10,000 sales in South Korea in a fewer number of months.
Hyundai NEXO
The 2019 NEXO – which replaces the Tucson Fuel Cell – can go up to 380
miles (611 km), starting at $58,300 (including $13,000 on hydrogen
fueling card). There are two trim levels to choose from:
“NEXO can be leased for $399 (Blue model) or $449 (Limited model)
for 36 months and can be purchased for $58,300. The first year of
maintenance is free of charge and customers are eligible for a tax
credit (subject to individual tax circumstances) from the state of
California for up to $5,000. Purchasers of new Hyundai NEXO SUVs will
receive hydrogen fueling cards with a combined maximum value of $13,000
to be used during the first three years of vehicle ownership.”
Hyundai Nexo specs:
up to 380 miles (611 km) in case of Blue trim and up to 354 miles
(570 km) in case of Limited Trim
NEXO Blue models have estimated MPGe of 65 city, 58 highway and 61
combined, while NEXO Limited models have an estimated range of MPGe of
59 city, 54 highway and 57 combined
0-60 mph in 9.5 seconds
120 kW and 395 Nm electric motor
fuel cell is able to provide around 95 kW of power, together with
40 kW from the battery. A total output of 135 kW is available
More from the press release:
NEXO: More than just the cleanest, longest-range zero-emissions SUV
on the road
NEXO is not only perfectly clean, emitting only water, but a
technological dynamo. It offers a number of advanced driver assist
systems, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following
Assist, Driver Attention Warning, High Beam Assist and Remote Smart
Parking Assist that enables NEXO to either autonomously park or retrieve
itself from either a parallel or perpendicular parking space with or
without a driver in the vehicle. Additionally, Hyundai’s Blind-spot View
Monitor is an industry-first technology that projects the side views of
NEXO in the center cluster to the driver using cameras while changing
lanes with the turn signal on that monitor areas that cannot be seen by
a traditional rearview mirror.
It Goes a Long Way
The NEXO Blue model has an estimated range of 380 miles, 115 more
than the Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle. The NEXO Limited Trim has an
estimated range of 354 miles. NEXO Blue models have estimated MPGe of 65
city, 58 highway and 61 combined, while NEXO Limited models have an
estimated range of MPGe of 59 city, 54 highway and 57 combined. NEXO
refueling time can be achieved in as little as five minutes, allowing a
consumer lifestyle very similar to a comparable gasoline-powered SUV in
terms of range and refueling speed.
Hydrogen is cool. But there is more to NEXO’s environmental story
NEXO uses a number of ecological materials in its construction,
including soybean-oil based polyurethane paint, bamboo-thread-based bio
fabric, along with bio-plastic and bio-carpet extracted from sugar cane.
Bio-based materials were applied to 47 different parts and reduced CO2
emissions by 26 lbs. during the manufacturing process.
NEXO v. Tucson Fuel Cell
Not only is Hyundai’s NEXO fuel cell vehicle built with an
exclusive dedicated vehicle architecture and a design that sets it apart
from every other vehicle on the road, it is vastly improved over the
Tucson Fuel Cell it has replaced. It is quicker, roomier, more efficient
and better packaged, all while offering 40 percent more range.
And finally…
Since it launched the Tucson Fuel Cell four-and-a-half years ago,
customers have accumulated almost 6.9 million high-mileage – and safe –
miles on America’s roads, all, of course, with refueling times that
mirror the convenience of gasoline vehicles. And just recently, the
Hyundai NEXO was named a winner of the prestigious Wards’ 10Best Engine
award, further highlighting its position as a high-tech and
user-friendly vehicle.
