Hyundai plans to sell its first hydrogen-powered Tucson SUV next year in the United States.
The hopes of getting hydrogen-powered cars on the road had almost become a fantasy with several leading automobile companies failing to step up the mass production of cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells. But Hyundai is making an effort to keep up the ante by selling a Tucson SUV powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology. It will mark the beginning of a new era in the mass-marketing of a vehicle of this type to be sold or leased in the U.S.
The automobile industry has come a long way since it days of gas-powered engines. The initiative in making the world pollution free has led to the introduction of several battery-powered and hybrid cars. Car makers like Hyundai, Honda and Toyota have been consistently making efforts to introduce a commercially viable fuel-cell car. The long delay in the process is mainly due to lack of filling stations, high costs, and safety concerns.
Combating the obstacles, Hyundai has made it to the top of the list with plans to sell its hydrogen powered Tucson next year. Although other carmakers including GM and Honda made a diminutive effort in setting off the fuel cell technology in cars, but they were not very successful. GM introduced a test fleet of Chevy Equinoxes powered by fuel cells in the mid-2000s. Honda leased a small number of its FCX Clarity hydrogen powered cars for $600 per month in 2005. Neither Honda nor GM have introduced fuel cell cars for the mass market.
"These things are now ready for prime time," John Krafcik, Hyundai's North American chief executive, said last week, AP reports.
Hyundai will give further details on the pricing of its fuel-cell Tucson and how it will be sold or leased in the U.S. at the Los Angeles show, scheduled for Wednesday, November 20.
On the other hand, Toyota is also planning to unveil its own concept fuel cell vehicle at this week's Tokyo Motor Show. But the cars will not enter the mass market until 2015. Similarly, Honda will show off its concept at the L.A. Auto show that will also hit the roads in 2015.
