Hyundai Motor Company

The development of alternative energy sources as well as the development and supply of alternative fuel vehicles is important in responding to the depletion of oil and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The ultimate goal of developing new and renewable energy sources is developing and supplying non-polluting vehicles that have zero gas emissions. At present, hybrid electric vehicles, which use internal-combustion engines and electricity as their power source, are gaining attention as a powerful alternative. HMC is doing more than simply developing new technologies. We are concentrating to develop and supply practical and truly environment-friendly alternative fuel vehicles.

The worldwide increase in oil use is leading to forecasts that the imbalance between supply and demand for oil will substantially grow around 2015. It is therefore necessary to develop alternative energy sources and ensure high efficiency in the transportation sector, which accounts for 30% of energy use. Moreover, regulations on vehicle CO2 emissions are spreading all across the globe in order to mitigate climate change.
Against this backdrop, the high-efficiency and environment-friendliness of HEVs is highly considered. An HEV combines the conventional power-train with an electric motor and a battery system to improve fuel efficiency and reduce gas emissions. In addition, an HEV can be fueled through the existing gas station infrastructure, predicting a bright future in terms of marketability.

The excellent features offered by the Tucson have resulted in winning first place in fuel efficiency in the environment-friendly vehicle category of the <2005 Monte Carlo Rally>, and in the fuel cell vehicle category of the <2007 Michelin Challenge Bibendum>. The Michelin Challenge Bibendum is a contest that was launched in 1998 with the aim of evaluating environment-friendly technologies and cars that would lead the future automobile market and promoting such technologies and cars by relevant companies. A total of ten fuel cell vehicles from globally-renowned auto makers entered into the contest.
The Tucson was the only vehicle to receive an A in all categories - noise, exhaust, fuel efficiency, and CO2 emissions. The outstanding fuel cell technologies of HMC were thus proven.