Hyundai's ix35 Fuel Cell model has been selected by the European Commission-backed 'Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking' (FC HJU) to show how hydrogen fuel cell technology works in the real world. This is the second year running that the ix35 has been chosen - the model holds the title of being the world's first production fuel cell electric vehicle.
In January 2013, Hyundai opened the production line for the ix35 Fuel Cell with the aim of making 1,000 examples by 2015. These cars will be available for private and public lease throughout Europe. Test drives will be undertaken during 2013 by European Commission officials and members of European Parliament. Hyundai claims that 17 orders have already been placed in Sweden and Denmark.
Statistics for the vehicle could come straight from the pages of a diesel powered ix35. A single fill-up is said to last approximately 370 miles and refuelling only takes a few minutes. Performance is also good, with 0-100km/h taking just 12.4 seconds and top speed recorded at 160km/h. The technology also looks to be reliable, as the ix35 has already logged more than 2.9 million kilometres of real world testing throughout the US, Europe and Korea.
Due to the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology, Hyundai is working with other vehicle manufacturers to support the installation of more hydrogen filling stations in preparation for mass production of fuel cell vehicles.