A greener future made possible by Hyundai
The future is looking green, especially for the automotive industry, as more automakers continue to bring electrified vehicles to market.
However, despite all of this, consumer adoption rates of these vehicles are still very low. FleetCarma, a Waterloo, Ont.-based clean-tech information and technology company, found that in December 2017, electric vehicles (EVs) represented only 1.4 per cent of all vehicle sales in Canada — showing there is still room for exponential growth in this particular segment.
At Hyundai, we believe in electrification and are designing and building EVs. We believe in these vehicles and the technology that powers them. They are the future, and we are investing heavily in it. So much so that we, as a global organization, have committed to launching 38 electrified vehicles by 2025, comprised of a combination of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), EVs, and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
In 2017, we introduced the ecofriendly Ioniq, the world’s first vehicle to offer three electrified powertrains, with a choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric versions. Since then, we’ve also brought a hydrogen FCEV to market, with the Tucson Fuel Cell, and now we are gearing up to release Nexo, our next-generation hydrogen FCEV, which yields zero emissions.
With different types of eco-vehicles available, customers wishing to drive green may experience difficulty deciding which one is best suited for them. Their decision will be driven by a number of different factors such as lifestyle and budget.
How many kilometres do you typically drive in a day? Where will you be driving ? How much money are you willing to spend? These are just some of the questions you’ll need to ask yourself before deciding what to buy.
EVs are not only environmentally-friendly, but they also offer fuel savings, because depending on the length of your commute, you might not even need to use any gas at all. Furthermore, battery technology is advancing and with the addition of the new Kona electric crossover in our lineup this year, it will see an estimated 400-plus kilometres of driving range on a single charge — eliminating range anxiety.
When it comes to hydrogen FCEVs, such as Nexo, more general awareness from the public, and governments, are needed. Whenever I speak with someone about fuel-cell technology and vehicles, I’m almost always asked: How does it work?
Instead of running on gasoline or battery, a FCEV runs on hydrogen which is taken through a fuel-cell stack and oxidized to create an electric charge which powers the motor. As a result, the only byproduct emitted from the vehicle’s tailpipe is water, making it the cleanest transportation option available.
The range on fuel-cell vehicles is also substantially greater than its gas- and battery-powered alternatives. For instance, Nexo has an estimated range of more than 600 kilometres on a single charge, not to mention refuelling time can be done in about five minutes.
With so many innovative vehicles and technologies at play, why haven’t more customers transitioned to green vehicles? For some, increased upfront costs might be a factor since EVs typically cost more than their gasoline-powered counterparts. However, fuel savings over the years should also be considered by would-be purchasers. Furthermore, the cost of EVs are also expected to decrease in the years to come.
One of the biggest challenges for hydrogen-powered vehicles, though, is the lack of infrastructure to fuel them.
This past summer, Shell unveiled Canada’s first public hydrogen refuelling station in Vancouver and announced that more will come over the next few years.
The locations of these stations (both for hydrogen and EVs) will no doubt greatly influence where FCEVs and EVs are sold and purchased.
EVs demonstrate the need for a cleaner environment and help make it possible, and automakers such as Hyundai are committed to making a difference. They also highlight the need for government at all levels to continue to invest in the support of EVs by making more stations available and accessible to drivers. Currently, some provinces such as Quebec and British Columbia are encouraging the adoption of EVs by providing government incentives to help support these purchases, but there’s still more that can be done.
While the role of EVs in the future remains to be seen, it’s important that we continue providing customers with choice and alternatives to traditional gasoline engines.
At Hyundai we’re committed to providing vehicles that adapt to industry trends, protect our environment and meet consumer needs to ensure we have a product to suit every lifestyle.