Hyundai Motor Group Showcases Third-Gen Fuel Cell System

Hydrogen fuel-cell cars are supposed to be the future and the Hyundai Motor Group is working on improving these by making great leaps in R&D and is presenting the results for the world to see. The Group presented a series of new fuel cell systems including a new prototype of its third-generation fuel cell stack - a higher-powered, efficiently packaged successor to the NEXO system - that is planned for market introduction in 2023.

Currently in development, the third-generation fuel cell stack will succeed NEXO's current stack. The Group showcased two power versions of the third-generation fuel cell stack: 100kW and 200kW. The 100kW stack has reduced in size by 30 per cent, making it 70 per cent in size from the current generation stack to make it easier to apply to different vehicle types and applications. The 200kW version has been designed for commercial vehicle applications and is similar in size to the current NEXO system, but the power output has doubled.

The 200kW version has been designed for commercial vehicle applications and is similar in size to the current NEXO system, but the power output has doubled. 

For the second-generation fuel cell stack launched in 2018, the company achieved 5,000 hours and 160,000 kilometres of usage, which is similar to the warranty of an ICE vehicle. For the third-generation fuel cell development, the goal is to improve durability by 50-100 per cent. High durability stacks for commercial vehicles will achieve 500,000 kilometres of drive range. Furthermore, the price of the third-generation fuel cell stack will be dramatically reduced - with projections being upwards of more than 50 percent - which will be the key factor to achieving cost parity of FCEVs with BEVs by 2030.

With flexibility and modularity at its core, the third-generation system can also be applied in various application forms. A new 'Power Unit Module' can offer a range of outputs from 500kW to 1MW by stacking 100kW modular units, ideal for use as an emergency power system for large ships or IT companies.

The Group also revealed an innovative fuel cell 'Full-Flat System' that lowers stack height to 25cm, allowing it to be used for various applications such as PBVs, MPVs, buses and trams by mounting the system to either the upper or lower body of the vehicle.