CES 2018: Hyundai Nexo FCV :Comments

[William Maley]

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Even though Hyundai is expanding their alternative fuel plans with electrics and plug-in hybrids, the Korean automaker still sees a place for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Today at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Hyundai unveiled their next-generation fuel-cell vehicles, the Nexo.

Replacing the Tucson FCEV, the Nexo is based on a bespoke platform that is designed with fuel cells in mind. This allows for better packing of the hydrogen tanks in the vehicle. Hyundai says the Nexo's powertrain is comprised of an electric motor producing 120 kW (160 horsepower) and 291 pound-feet of torque; a smaller fuel stack - what converts the hydrogen into electricity, lithium-ion battery pack, and three hydrogen tanks. Performance figures are 9.9 second run to 60 mph and a range of approximately 370 miles.

The Nexo will also come chockfull with a number of safety features such as a blind spot monitoring system that shows the rear and side views in the instrument cluster; Lane Follow Assist that keeps the car centered in its lane; Highway Driving Assist which uses sensors and map data to automatically adjust speed; and Remote Smart Parking Assist that enables the Nexo to park or summon itself without a driver in the vehicle.

Hyundai is planning to make the Nexo available in select markets later this year. Hyundai isn't detailing how it plans on selling the Nexo - we're guessing it will be some sort of leasing program.

Source: Hyundai
Press Release is on Page 2

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NEXO: The Next-Generation Fuel Cell Vehicle From Hyundai

• Hyundai names technological flagship fuel cell vehicle NEXO
• New ADAS technologies revealed including self-parking and Lane following features

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2018 – Hyundai Motor today announced that NEXO will be the name of its all-new, dedicated Fuel Cell EV during a press conference at CES 2018, and disclosed Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that expand its autonomous driving potential. NEXO is the technological flagship of Hyundai’s growing eco-vehicle portfolio and marks Hyundai’s continued momentum toward having the industry’s most diverse CUV powertrain lineup.

The NEXO model will spearhead Hyundai Motor’s plans to accelerate development of low emission vehicles, in line with Hyundai Motor Group’s renewed goal of introducing 18 eco-friendly models to global markets by 2025. This new development roadmap also represents the next step for Hyundai Motor toward realizing the ultimate ambition of creating a cleaner environment through eco-friendly vehicles.

Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM)
Hyundai’s Blind-spot View Monitor is an industry-first technology. It shows drivers on a center cluster screen the rear and side views of NEXO using cameras while changing lanes in either direction. The system uses wide angle surround view monitors (SVM) on each side of the vehicle to monitor areas that cannot be seen by a traditional rearview mirror. Hyundai is the first automaker to provide drivers video footage from both sides of the vehicle.

Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Highway Driving Assist (HDA)
Lane Following Assist is an all-new technology for Hyundai and it debuts in the NEXO. LFA automatically adjusts steering to help keep NEXO centered in its lane of travel. LFA can keep NEXO centered at speeds between 0 and 90 miles per hour on both highways and city streets. When paired with Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist (HDA) which utilizes sensors and map data to ensure safe operation as well as automatically adjust speed in limited environments, drivers will be able to traverse long distances with greater ease and improved safety.

Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA)
RSPA enables NEXO to autonomously park or retrieve itself from a parking space with or without a driver in the car. The RSPA system can even back a NEXO into a parking spot by itself with a touch of a button from the driver. When faced with any challenging parking scenario, NEXO drivers will be able to park with complete confidence and accuracy.

Hyundai NEXO
“Hydrogen energy is the key to building a more sustainable society. Hyundai Motor Company has already taken a lead in hydrogen technology with introduction of Tucson fuel cell,” said Dr. Woong-chul Yang, Vice Chairman, Hyundai Motor Company. “Yet as another result of this earth-saving effort, today, I am so proud to introduce to you our second-generation Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle which is a culmination of our cutting-edge technologies.”

NEXO is Hyundai’s second-generation of commercialized fuel cell electric vehicle that will be available in select markets around the world starting in early 2018. Improving upon the acclaimed Tucson FCEV, the NEXO has an estimated driving range of 370 miles, 105 more than its predecessor. Acceleration and power have increased to improve the overall performance.

Designed to handle extreme temperature and environments, the NEXO testing has proven that the vehicle is capable of starting after being subject to overnight temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit. NEXO boasts cold start capability within 30 seconds which is an industry-leading achievement and the fuel cell system warms up faster for maximum performance. The NEXO also has excellent cooling performance on steep grades with temperatures exceeding 120 degree Fahrenheit.

Improvements in the air supply system, performance at high altitudes and refueling times, along with overall efficiency and fuel economy put the NEXO in a class all its own. In addition the NEXO has improved power density and durability comparable with a gasoline-powered vehicles.

Dedicated Architecture
For the first time ever, Hyundai’s fuel cell vehicle is built with a dedicated vehicle architecture. This architecture has many benefits including:

• Lighter weight
• Improved power-to-weight ratio
• Faster acceleration from 0 to 60 mph than the Tucson FCEV
• More cabin space
• Allows the battery to be relocated to the trunk
• Improved fuel cell system layout 

NEXO vs. Tucson Fuel Cell System Architecture

• NEXO’s fuel cell stack and battery have more net power to supply a more powerful motor
• NEXO’s powertrain is lighter and has improved packaging
• Improved hydrogen storage tanks

Powertrain Improvements

• NEXO’s powertrain is lighter and takes up less space compared with Tucson FCEV
• More efficient
• Better module integration
• Smaller
• Lighter

Drivability

• Peak acceleration is increased by 25 percent compared with Tucson FCEV
• NEXO accelerates from 0 to 60 mph 20 percent faster than Tucson FCEV
• NEXO has more torque than the Tucson FCEV

Range

• NEXO has 30 percent more range than the Tucson FCEV
• NEXO has an estimated range of 370 miles compared with the Tucson FCEV 265 miles

Quiet and Comfortable Driving Characteristics

• NEXO maintains the quiet and comfortable driving characteristics of the Tucson FCEV
• All of the NEXO’s moving parts are inside the engine bay which isolates the noise to one area

Durability

• NEXO has the same level of durability as internal combustion engine vehicles

Hydrogen Storage

• NEXO’s storage system is lighter than the Tucson FCEV
• NEXO’s storage system has world-class storage density
• NEXO can be refueled within five minutes

Overall Summary 

		NEXO	Tucson FCEV
Dimensions	Length(in.)	183.9	173.6
	Width(in.)	73.2	71.7
	Height(in.)	64.2	65.2
	Wheelbase(in.)	109.8	103.9
Power		135kW Fuel Cell : 95kW Battery :40kW	124kW Fuel Cell : 100kW Battery : 24kW
Motor		120kW  291 lb.-ft. of torque	100kW 221 lb.-ft. of torque
0 to 60 mph		9.5 seconds	12.5 seconds
Range		370 estimated	265 miles

＊ All NEXO specification and technologies mentioned above may vary according markets

 

＊ All NEXO specification and technologies mentioned above may vary according markets

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[G. David Felt]

I honestly see no reason for the continued investment in Hydrogen producing electricity to drive an electric auto. The amount of energy needed to produce the hydrogen and then break it apart to produce electricity with only a water vapor is beyond common sense at this time.

I honestly can only see a few of these being made for the LA market that has the only few Hydrogen fuel stations.

I wonder how much government money is being spent to off set this research project?