Australian capital orders 20 Hyundai fuel-cell vehicles to promote renewable energy
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government has ordered 20 hydrogen-fuelled vehicles from Hyundai for its AUD$23m ($17.3m) Renewable Transport Fuels Test Berth in Canberra, from 2018. The aim of the project is to be able to create enough fuel-grade hydrogen to power more than 1,000 electric vehicles, which will travel around 14,000 km a year. Hyundai is expected to supply an SUV with a fuel cell that will replace the ix35/Tucson.

Does the future lie in battery power, or hydrogen fuel-cells? As protagonists of both concepts flag the individual merits, batteries and hydrogen fuel cells are the two dominant power sourcing possibilities for the upcoming generation of electric cars (EVs).

And, as is pointedly made obvious by the rise and rise of battery-powered Tesla vehicles such as the Model S sedan and Model X SUV – and the imminent Model 3 – it’s the former that is at present scoring the big goals.

But hydrogen fuel-cells are far from fading into the distance and, if you want proof, Hyundai has just secured of an order from the ACT government for 20 hydrogen-fuelled vehicles for the Renewable Transport Fuels Test Berth in Canberra from 2018.

The project is aimed at having the capacity to provide fuel-grade hydrogen for more than 1000 fuel-cell EVs travelling an average of 14,000km a year. To ensure the project’s squeaky-clean green credentials, the electricity is produced by wind power.

The $23 million Test Berth project will be delivered by French renewable energy company Neoen, investors Megawatt Capital and electrification specialist Siemens, via a contract with the ACT government and wind farm company Hornsdale Windfarm Stage 3.