Hyundai presents its new hydrogen-powered vehicle, the Initium.
Hyundai's new hydrogen SUV will be unveiled for the first time in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Hyundai is ramping up its efforts to make hydrogen-powered vehicles a viable alternative in the realm of eco-friendly transportation. In this context, the South Korean company has unveiled its new hydrogen concept SUV, called Initium. Production of this vehicle is expected to begin in the first half of next year.
The Initium is capable of traveling approximately 404 miles on a single hydrogen charge. Additionally, it features a backup electric system that can be recharged using home energy sources. For the promotion of the vehicle, it is anticipated to make its public debut at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show and at Auto Guangzhou in China.
Although the availability of this model has not been confirmed for sale in the United States, the company seems determined to bring its innovative hydrogen vehicle to consumers in the near future. Hyundai is committed to investing $4 billion to develop its hydrogen vehicle technology and infrastructure, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. This aim includes models like the Initium and the electric Ioniq 5, which was unveiled last year.
While hydrogen could represent an effective alternative to gasoline, it still faces several challenges to be competitive against electric vehicles, not to mention the persistence of gasoline cars. Currently, there are only 59 hydrogen fueling stations in the United States, with most located in California, according to data from the U.S. Department of Energy. Additionally, there are few automakers offering hydrogen options, with Hyundai (featuring the Nexo SUV) and Toyota (with the Mirai) being the most notable. Honda, which previously had the Clarity as its hydrogen model, ceased production in 2021.
