ACT government orders hydrogen-powered Hyundais

[Wretched]

The future of clean motoring is coming to Canberra.

The ACT Government has today confirmed it has ordered a fleet of 20 hydrogen-powered fuel cell cars as part of a $23million renewable energy project.

The cars will be provided by Hyundai as an integral part of its launch plans for the next-generation fuel-cell electric vehicle which is due in 2018, with the South Korean car maker providing servicing and maintenance for the fleet.

They will form part of the Renewable Fuels Test Berth project, which has been created by Neoen, Megawatt Capital and Seimens through a contract with the Hornsdale Windfarm Stage 3 and the ACT Government.

The Hornsdale Windfarm Stage 3 will provide renewably-sourced electricity to the Test Berth, which features a state-of-the-art Siemens Sylizer System hydrogen refueler. At full capacity, it will be capable of providing fuel-grade hydrogen for over 1000 zero-emissions fuel cell vehicles travelling an average of 14,000km a year.

Hyundai Australia is the first car maker to import a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle - an ix35 SUV - for local evaluation and to lobby federal regulators on the benefits of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source for the future and the infrastructure required to make it publicly available.
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It is also the first to install a hydrogen refueler for light vehicles in the country at its Sydney headquarters.

​"Hyundai's leadership in hydrogen has been rewarded with a contract to supply 20 of our next-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to the ACT Government," said Hyundai Australia CEO, Charlie Kim.

"We commend the vision and ambition of everyone responsible for the Renewable Transport Fuels Test Birth and Hornsdale Wind Farm Stage 3. We hope this brilliant project inspires others to see the potential of hydrogen as a future fuel for our cars. This first small step toward a zero-emissions transport solution for Australia is very significant and we are proud to be involved."

Toyota recently confirmed it will import three of its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedans to Australia for local trials this year.

Fuel cell vehicles used compressed hydrogen - the most abundant gas on the planet and a renewable resource - to create electricity through a chemical reaction with the only by-product being water vapour. The electricity generated is then used to drive an electric motor.

Hyundai and Toyota are among a plethora of car makers with plans to introduce hydrogen-powered vehicles to the public, including Honda, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and General Motors.

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