2024 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:13
Hyundai shows how it's done. While other manufacturers are neglecting hydrogen propulsion, the Koreans have just launched a new model, the Nexo.
After the technology has been extensively tested in the iX35 and the first users have been found outside of the authorities and test drivers, Hyundai is taking the next step with the Nexo.
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For 69,000 euros the Koreans deliver a crossover model with complete equipment, which makes the dream of emission-free driving seem quite realistic. We learned that during our test.
Nexo, an elegant appearance
The Nexo looks good. Elegant, not quite as high as, for example, a Mercedes GLC of exactly the same length and almost the same price, but much more futuristic. You look in vain for door handles. They only drive out when you approach the vehicle with the key in your pocket. The little technical gimmick improves the aerodynamics a bit and above all shows that the future is driving here. Otherwise, the Nexo is a bit flatter than a standard SUV, has an exciting design and looks even more unusual thanks to the slightly matt paint.
The visual impression of innovation continues inside. The practically free-floating center console houses the essential controls, but is very reduced and discreet. You look in vain for a gear lever. You can choose whether to drive forwards or backwards at the touch of a button. The cockpit is dominated by a huge display from the center console to the driver's seat. Of course, everything is on board that you would expect from a modern car in terms of connectivity, communication and assistance. And even a little more. The image of an outside camera is shown in the central display in front of the driver when the indicator is activated.
Adjustable level of recuperation
The degree of recuperation can be adjusted using the shift paddles on the steering wheel. Recuperation takes place in the tried and tested hybrid manner, because the Nexo runs on electricity from fuel cells, but has a high-performance battery with a capacity of 1.56 kWh for buffering and can thus generate and temporarily store electricity when braking or rolling. This can then be used, for example, when accelerating and relieves the load on the 440 fuel cells, which otherwise convert hydrogen into oxygen, water and electricity with an efficiency of 60 percent.
The necessary hydrogen is stored in three pressure tanks that are crash-proof in front of and directly behind the rear axle in an extra frame in the vehicle floor. Together they contain 156 liters or 6.33 kilograms of hydrogen, which is kept in the tanks at a pressure of 700 bar. The tanks have a 4.5 centimeter thick shell made of fiberglass composite and all kinds of safety valves. In Germany, hydrogen is usually produced as a waste product from the chemical industry, but it can also be generated using electricity and water.
The latter, however, is less efficient because a lot of energy has to be used. As long as the necessary energy, i.e. the electricity, comes from wind turbines or solar cells, however, it hardly matters. The result is ultimately CO2-free travel.
No long refueling breaks with Hyundai Nexo
The driver doesn't care about the whole technical process. The Nexo drives electrically, like an electric car and therefore completely normal. With the small difference that he does not have to worry about the annoying travel break planning in terms of range and loading times. So almost not. Because there are not hydrogen filling stations on every corner and so the navigation system shows you where the next station is actually and whether you should make a detour to the next charging point to reach the planned destination. In our case, the nearest gas pump is about 25 kilometers away from home and it works. - which cannot always be said of all the pillars.
Hydrogen technology is still in its infancy and requires a certain pioneering spirit. Refueling itself is easy. You insert the service card of the H2M hydrogen consortium into the slot provided, enter the appropriate pin and you can remove the tank nozzle from the column, attach it to your own tank, lock it and then press the green button to start the process. This takes around 5 minutes and the tanks are filled again.
The price per kilo is 9.50 euros
Driving with hydrogen is exemplary clean, but not cheap. The H2 consortium has agreed on a kilo price of 9.50 euros. This means that the costs for 100 kilometers are roughly on par with conventional gasoline vehicles. Hyundai indicates the consumption according to WLTP at 0.95 kilograms. In winter conditions and relaxed driving, we weighed 1.34 kilograms. Even with this, the range is over 450 kilometers. According to the standard, it is 666 km. The 95 kW / 163 PS of the electric motor accelerate the Nexo to 100 km / h in just under ten seconds. The top speed is 179 km / h. This is a great way to live in everyday car life.
This also applies to the space available for both passengers and luggage. Between 461 and 1,466 liters can be accommodated in the trunk. Quite normal values for a completely normal car - even if it transports a fairly large piece of the future. (SP-X)
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