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Hyundai has frequently stated that hydrogen will fuel the next generations of vehicles, even as other automakers argue that it’s premature to make such assertions, especially in light of the rise in electric vehicles. Recently, despite unveiling a new hydrogen fuel cell model, BBC reports that Hyundai has determined a need to shift focus to stay competitive in the electric vehicle market in the years ahead.
The South Korean automaker has experience in the electric vehicle sector, but its current long-range model, the Ioniq, offers only about 124 miles of range. This places its EPA-rated range between the BMW i3’s 114 miles and the Volkswagen e-Golf’s 125 miles. While this range may be sufficient for city commuters, it pales in comparison to gasoline-powered counterparts. To stay relevant against next-generation electric vehicles, Hyundai must enhance its range to match that of the Tesla Model 3 or Chevy Bolt.
Hyundai is likely concerned that its vision for a hydrogen-powered future appears to be faltering. The company invested significant resources promoting its hydrogen fuel-cell Tucson, emphasizing quicker refueling times compared to electric vehicles and the potential for extended range. However, its struggles are not primarily due to costs or the rarity of fuel cells, but rather the scarcity of hydrogen refueling stations. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are only 38 hydrogen refueling stations nationwide, most of which are concentrated in California.
While electric vehicles take advantage of a more developed electric grid across the country—an advantage that hydrogen lacks—earlier this year, Hyundai, along with Honda and Toyota, tried to persuade the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to allocate part of Volkswagen’s dieselgate settlement funds to expand hydrogen fueling infrastructure in California. This initiative did not yield the expected results, which may help explain why Toyota recently announced it is exploring graphene-based solid-state charging for some upcoming models.
While hydrogen may still play a role in the future, Hyundai is now putting it on the back burner as it prioritizes its new electric projects. If the company does not move swiftly to market, more established electric vehicle manufacturers like Tesla and Volkswagen may surpass Hyundai in this competitive landscape.
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