UTC Fuel Cells and Hyundai have worked together on fuel cell vehicle development since 2000, when the companies unveiled the first Hyundai Santa Fe fuel cell SUV at the California Fuel Cell Partnership opening ceremonies. A total of six Hyundai fuel cell Santa Fe prototypes were produced under the previous agreement. A Hyundai Santa Fe, powered by a UTC Fuel Cells power plant, scored best in class in efficiency and noise at the 2001 Michelin Challenge Bibendum, an annual event where new automotive technologies are evaluated by independent judges.
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| The ultimate goal for any fuel cell program is to have a vehicle that provides performance consumers are familiar with, while at the same time being environmentally friendly. (Photo: Hyundai) |
The goal of any fuel cell program with an automaker is to produce a vehicle that appeals to conventional consumers and is environmentally friendly. But with current infrastructure issues, the delay of these vehicles coming into the mass market is disheartening at times.
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| The race is on for a consumer ready FCV, but it looks like the finish line is still years away. (Photo: www.fuelcellpartnership.org) |
Hyundai is not alone in the question of a hydrogen economy infrastructure. Others such as Toyota, DaimlerChrysler, Ford and Honda are all facing the same issues. So it is with mixed enthusiasm that another FCV comes to market. Hyundai's FVC will be available for fleets in 2004. But limited consumer availability is still a few years off, projected for 2010.
Other automakers are making similar projections, with exceptions for markets like California and Japan. So the question is, who will really be the first to offer a fuel cell powered car? We'll just have to wait seven years to find out.