Hyundai Debuts Hydrogen Car In Push For Clean Fuel Future

Hyundai Motor Co. has unveiled a new hydrogen-powered vehicle called the Initium, set for release in the first half of next year as part of the company’s expansion into clean-burning hydrogen fuel, Bloomberg’s Heesu Lee reported.

The concept vehicle, revealed recently, boasts a target driving range of over 650 kilometers (404 miles) on a single refueling, compared to 609 kilometers for Hyundai’s first hydrogen-based SUV, the Nexo. I Photo: Hyundai Motor Corporation

The concept vehicle, revealed recently, boasts a target driving range of over 650 kilometers (404 miles) on a single refueling, compared to 609 kilometers for Hyundai’s first hydrogen-based SUV, the Nexo, according to a company statement.

The Initium can also connect to a household’s power supply, acting as a backup source of electricity, Hyundai said.

Although growth in demand for electric vehicles has slowed, Hyundai Chief Executive Officer Jaehoon Chang told reporters that broader adoption of electrified powertrains is inevitable.

Hydrogen-powered vehicles “are not profitable yet, but we’re committed to this as if it’s a mission,” he said at the launch event at Hyundai’s Motor Studio in Goyang, north of Seoul.

While hydrogen vehicles have struggled to gain traction—mainly due to the challenges of producing, transporting, storing, and dispensing hydrogen—the company is pursuing this zero-carbon alternative fuel with determination.