27 Years of R&D Since Fuel Cell Development Began in 1998
Nexo, the World's Best-Selling Hydrogen Electric Vehicle
Enhanced Performance and Value in the Second-Generation 'The All New Nexo'
Hyundai Motor Company announced that it has "incorporated 27 years of efforts toward a hydrogen society" into its second-generation hydrogen electric vehicle model, 'The All New Nexo.'
Park Hunwoo, senior researcher of Hyundai Motor Company FC System Design Team 1, is explaining the fuel cell system at the 'The All New Nexo' Tech Talk event held on the 18th at Mayfield Hotel in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Hyundai Motor Company
On June 18, Hyundai Motor held the 'The All New Nexo' Tech Talk event at Mayfield Hotel in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, where it introduced the core technologies of hydrogen electric vehicles.
Hojung Kim, Senior Researcher of the MLV Project Team 2 and the manager of the Nexo development project, explained, "We began developing hydrogen electric vehicles in 1998 when we started working on fuel cell systems. At that time, there were no fuel cell systems for automobiles, so we entered into an agreement with UTC Power in the United States and began development. Until we succeeded in developing the first mass-produced hydrogen car, the Tucson IX, in 2013, we worked hard to develop our own proprietary technology."
The Nexo, Hyundai's first dedicated electric vehicle model introduced in 2018, is the world's best-selling hydrogen electric vehicle. It has also won a place among the world's top 10 engines, raising the global profile of Hyundai's hydrogen technology.
In addition, Hyundai applied its hydrogen electric vehicle models to commercial vehicles, successfully developing the large hydrogen truck Xcient and hydrogen electric buses in 2020. Because these vehicles are used for long-distance driving and heavy cargo transport, hydrogen electric vehicles, which have a longer driving range than electric vehicles, are expected to be more suitable.
Hojoong Kim, senior researcher of the MLV Project 2 Team, is explaining the development concept of hydrogen electric vehicles at the 'The All New Nexo' Tech Talk event held on the 18th at Mayfield Hotel in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Group is expanding its global business through 'HTWO,' its hydrogen business value chain brand, leveraging the capabilities of its affiliates. Last month, the company launched the hydrogen electric truck 'The New Xcient' in the North American market and announced plans to establish 'HTWO Energy Savannah,' a large-scale hydrogen and electric integrated charging hub for commercial vehicles, near the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia, USA.
Senior Researcher Kim explained, "For the past 27 years, we have been able to take on the challenge of developing hydrogen electric vehicles without wavering because of our unwavering belief in the value of hydrogen."
Hyundai Motor expressed its determination to establish itself as a 'first mover' in the hydrogen electric vehicle market with the newly unveiled 'The All New Nexo.' Senior Researcher Kim stated, "The All New Nexo was developed with three main directions in mind: differentiated design unique to hydrogen electric vehicles, enhanced basic performance through advanced technology, and premium product value that goes beyond its class. Throughout the development process, we actively reflected customer feedback through various consumer surveys and first-generation user communities."
At the 'The All New Nexo' Tech Talk event held on the 18th at Mayfield Hotel in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Hyundai Motor researchers are taking a commemorative photo. From the left, Seongbae Jeon, Senior Researcher of the Electrification System Design Team; Joyoung Lee, Senior Researcher of the Hydrogen Electric Vehicle Performance Testing Team; Jaegwon Jung, Senior Researcher of the FC Control Development Team 1; Jaehun Lee, Senior Researcher of the MLV Comprehensive Testing Team; Hyunjun Jung, Researcher of the MLV Project Team 2; Hojung Kim, Senior Researcher of the MLV Project Team 2; Hunwoo Park, Senior Researcher of the FC System Design Team 1. Hyundai Motor Company
The All New Nexo features a unique and futuristic design that reflects Hyundai's new design language, 'Art of Steel.' The interior, inspired by furniture, offers a soft and comfortable atmosphere while providing a sense of openness and spaciousness.
In addition, the powertrain system?including the fuel cell, motor, battery, and inverter?has been significantly improved compared to the first-generation model. The maximum driving range on a single charge has increased to 720 km, a substantial jump from the Tucson IX (415 km) and the first-generation Nexo (609 km).
The total electric output generated by the stack inside the fuel cell, which produces electricity by chemically combining hydrogen and oxygen, has increased by about 16% compared to the first generation, reaching 110 kW.
For the motor, output has been improved by approximately 33%, from the previous 113 kW to 150 kW, through increased output from the high-voltage battery and fuel cell system, as well as the adoption of a new inverter. As a result, acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h has been reduced to 7.8 seconds, a 15% improvement over the first generation's 9.2 seconds.
The hydrogen storage tank, made with high-performance composite materials, can now store up to 6.69 kg of hydrogen. Driving performance has also been enhanced with the addition of a sports mode, which provides quicker response and stronger torque.
Since the vehicle emits water instead of exhaust gases, a 'Wake-Up' function has been added to reduce the risk of freezing in winter. This feature manages the temperature of the fuel cell with a separate heater even while parked. Convenience features have also been significantly expanded, including a 'Route Planner' function that determines whether the destination can be reached based on the remaining hydrogen and suggests nearby hydrogen refueling stations.
The selling prices are as follows: Exclusive - 76,440,000 KRW; Exclusive Special - 79,280,000 KRW; Prestige - 83,450,000 KRW. With a government subsidy of 22,500,000 KRW and a local government subsidy of 7,000,000 to 15,000,000 KRW, the vehicle can be purchased starting from 38,940,000 KRW.
Lee Cheolmin, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor's Domestic Marketing Team, emphasized, "Nexo is more than just a vehicle; it is a car built with a sense of mission for future generations, symbolizing the history of hydrogen development that we have consistently pursued for 27 years."
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