Hyundai will offer fuel cell cars for sale next year

Hyundai has announced it’s readying its second-generation hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles following successful trials of the current ix35 Fuel Cell cars.

According to an insider speaking to British car magazine, Autocar, a four-year run of up to 15,000 hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars has already been approved for production and sale in global markets.

The Korean car-maker is keeping tight-lipped about which vehicle will replace the last-gen ix35-based fuel-cell vehicle, but Hyundai has already ruled out an H2-powered IONIQ.

The Korean Toyota Prius-rival was thought to be an ideal candidate for H2 fuel cells because the IONIQ has been developed for variable powerplants.

Now, according to the Hyundai insider, the five-door hatch will only be offered with traditional hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric powertrains.

With the IONIQ ruled out, the insider says Hyundai will developed a “standalone” vehicle to promote its fuel cell technology.

It’s not known how that car will take shape, but it’s likely the Hyundai will stick to the small SUV formula and borrow its platform and design inspiration from the new Tucson.

With the only tailpipe emission being water vapour, unfortunately there’s little chance any Tucson-based Fuel Cell models coming here.

In Australia, there’s just one hydrogen station, at Hyundai’s own Sydney HQ.