Hyundai Development of Alternative Fuels

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.

Hybrid Vehicle

Hyundai Motor delivered 50 Getz (called Click in the Korean domestic market) hybrid cars as part of a fleet demonstration project in 2004, and succeeded in localizing the production of key automotive parts in 2005. By 2008, the company had delivered some 1,500 Verna hybrid vehicles to government agencies and public education centers.
Also in 2008, Hyundai's independently-developed technology led to the successful development of the world's first LPi (Liquid Petroleum Gas Injection) hybrid vehicle that integrated an LPG fuel cell and an electric motor. The technology was introduced to the public in 2009 through the Elantra LPi hybrid vehicle that combines eco-friendly performance with practicality.
In 2010, Hyundai will launch a mid-size Sonata hybrid vehicle in the North American market. Meanwhile, the Company has increased its R&D resources to commercialize a plug-in hybrid vehicle that can be recharged at home and driven in an all-electric mode for short distances by 2012.

Development Status and Future Plan of Hybrid Vehicles

Pollution-Free Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

reacts with the oxygen in the air to give energy. They are anticipated to be the ultimate pollution-free car as they discharge nothing but water vapors as exhaust. Hydrogen can be produced with different energy sources such as solar heat, wind power, and nuclear energy, and thereby can help reduce our existing dependency on fossil fuels. Furthermore, it is the most efficient way to use natural energy sources, because the technology is twice as efficient compared to conventional internal combustion engines.
Hyundai has continued to invest in R&D to secure both product and price competitiveness for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. It successfully achieved low temperature ignition at and also reduced the cost of the fuel cell stack by a sixth through a technology that produces the cells by stamping thin metallic sheets, a positive indication of its potential for mass production. At the same time, Hyundai continues to carry out crash, mock fire, and other tests to verify and evaluate safety. As a leading global automaker, Hyundai Motor Company is passionate about environment protection and firm in its conviction about the need for eco-friendly cars. It will complete test fleets needed for commercializing hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in Korea and the US by 2010, and start producing them in small quantities in 2012.

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle(FCEV)

Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles use hydrogen as their power source, which reacts with the oxygen in the air to give energy. They are anticipated to be the ultimate pollution-free car as they discharge nothing but water vapors as exhaust. Hydrogen can be produced with different energy sources such as solar heat, wind power, and nuclear energy, and thereby can help reduce our existing dependency on fossil fuels. Furthermore, it is the most efficient way to use natural energy sources, because the technology is twice as efficient compared to conventional internal combustion engines. Hyundai has continued to invest in R&D to secure both product and price competitiveness for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. It successfully achieved low temperature ignition at -20°C, and also reduced the cost of the fuel cell stack by a sixth through a technology that produces the cells by stamping thin metallic sheets, a positive indication of its potential for mass production. At the same time, Hyundai continues to carry out crash, mock fire, and other tests to verify and evaluate safety. As a leading global automaker, Hyundai Motor Company is passionate about environment protection and firm in its conviction about the need for eco-friendly cars. It will complete test fleets needed for commercializing hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in Korea and the US by 2010, and start producing them in small quantities in 2012.