Earlier this week, Joseph Cargnelli, CTO and co-founder of Hydrogenics Corp., became the first owner hydrogen fuel Hyundai Tucson owner in Ontario.
"Hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology has the incredible potential to revolutionize our world by delivering clean energy to meet our every need; this is especially true when it comes to transportation. By offering the Tucson Fuel Cell to customers, Hyundai is taking a significant step toward a brighter and cleaner automotive future; I have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to drive my new fuel cell vehicle and showcase this technology every day,” he said.
Mississauga ON-based Hydrogenics is a company pioneering the use of natural gas pipelines to store hydrogen energy derived from renewable electricity.
In November 2014, Hyundai Auto Canada announced it would become the first Canadian automotive company to offer its Tucson FCEV to actual, real-world customers. Since the first vehicle delivery took place in February 2015, six Tucson FCEVs have been delivering thousands of zero-emissions kilometres on the roads of British Columbia. With the expansion to Ontario, the company is further demonstrating the capabilities of FCEV technology and calling for investment in infrastructure development.
"There is no doubt in my mind that fuel cell powertrains are ready for prime-time. We have proven that time and again," said Don Romano, president and CEO of Hyundai Canada. "The Tucson Fuel Cell is exceeding expectations with its versatility, range, ease-of-use, and features. We believe that fuel cells are the future for the automotive industry and Hyundai has shown the technology has matured. The next step facing governments at all levels is investing in a network of hydrogen fueling stations so more customers can enjoy zero-emissions driving."
Hyundai's advanced fuel cell technology effectively replaces the battery pack used in an electric vehicle by generating electricity from an electrochemical process that involves stored hydrogen and oxygen from the atmosphere. The process does not involve hydrogen combustion, and there are no moving parts within the fuel cell stack. The only by-product is pure water vapour, making the Tucson FCEV a zero-emissions electric vehicle. Further, unlike battery electric vehicles, the Tucson FCEV takes less than five minutes to refuel with hydrogen gas and can deliver an estimated 426 km of emissions-free driving.