Hydrogen car: Hyundai persists and presents its new Nexo to the 700 km of autonomy
The hydrogen vehicle market does not take off. Toyota, one of the fervent defenders of this technology, has only solda handle of fuel cell cars in 2024. The situation is hardly more exciting in the few other manufacturers who remain faithful to the development of the hydrogen car, when others have simply abandoned this track for passenger cars.
Despite everything, Hyundai presents a new generation of its Nexo fuel cell SUV. 4.75 m long (8 cm more than the previous generation), he abandoned the curves of his predecessor in favor of a more muscular and singular physique. The rear part is amazing to say the least, almost reminiscent of the illustrious Pontiac Aztek.
Exterior mirrors can be replaced by cameras, while the interior mirror also offers a vision by camera.
The dashboard recalls certain other models in the range and the interior relieved on “responsible” materials, such as bio -based or synthetic leather and other recycled materials.
The Nexo is now equipped with a 6.69 kg capacity hydrogen tank, compared to 6.33 kg before. It feeds an 110 kW fuel cell, in order to produce the electricity necessary for the 150 kW (205 hp) and 350 Nm electric motor, which drives the front wheels. It allows you to shoot 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 s according to Hyundai. The “Tampon” battery now reaches 2.64 kWh capacity, a little more than a non -rechargeable hybrid car, but much less than a 100 % electric car.
Up to 700 km of autonomy
Thus equipped, the new Nexo promises more than 700 km of autonomy according to a South Korean approval cycle. The current generation offers 666 km of WLTP radius of action. As a comparison, a Tesla Model Y (100 % electric) offers up to 622 km of autonomy.
Fuel cell cars have therefore lost a large part of their advance in autonomy in the face of 100 % electric models. They have a lower charging time, comparable to that of full of a thermal car, with about 5 min. Electric cars certainly improve quickly on this point, but it is still necessary to at a minimum About twenty minutes for an even incomplete load.
However, hydrogen supply stations are much rarer, because it is much more difficult to deploy, both technically and economically. There are only a few dozen on French territory. In addition, if the price of the new Nexo is not yet communicated, the current generation starts at € 80,600, double the price of a comparable 100 % electric car, whose prices tend to decrease much faster than those of hydrogen models. The cost of hydrogen is also much higher than that of the electricity necessary for a 100 % electric car.
