DoE extends Hyundai fuel cell vehicle loan partnership
The US Department of Energy (DoE) has extended its fuel cell vehicle confirmation programme with Hyundai to its second phase, which is expected to run until 2017. It requires Hyundai to lend the DoE a number of Tucson Fuel Cell vehicles for daily use and confirmation, while using and testing hydrogen infrastructure in the Washington DC region. The ultimate aim of the partnership is to prepare for the rollout of fuel cell vehicles across America “in the near future”.

Hyundai and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are extending their fuel cell vehicle confirmation program, originally from 2013 through 2015, to its second phase, from 2016 through 2017. The program involves Hyundai providing a number of Tucson Fuel Cell CUVs for daily use and confirmation by the DOE using existing hydrogen infrastructure. This phase … Continued

Hyundai and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are extending their fuel cell vehicle confirmation program, originally from 2013 through 2015, to its second phase, from 2016 through 2017. The program involves Hyundai providing a number of Tucson Fuel Cell CUVs for daily use and confirmation by the DOE using existing hydrogen infrastructure. This phase of the program will make significant use of a newly-opened hydrogen refuelling station in the Washington D.C. region.

Phase one of the Hyundai/DOE program focused exclusively in the Southern California region, where the earliest hydrogen infrastructure existed. Phase two further expands the program’s reach to Northern California, Washington D.C., Michigan and Denver. Phase two starts in July 2016 in conjunction with the opening of the newest D.C.-based hydrogen station. Tucson fuel cell vehicles will use this newest DOE-developed hydrogen station extensively.



The Hyundai/DOE partnership effectively continues preparation for the rollout of fuel cell vehicles nationwide in the near future. Some key advantages of hydrogen fuel cells over battery-powered electrified vehicles is their quick refuelling capability, longer range, more flexible vehicle size scalability and maintenance of range performance in colder climates.