Hyundai just launched the Kona electric in India and the brand is planning to launch the hydrogen-powered Nexo in 2021. The hydrogen-powered vehicle also known as fuel-cell vehicle which uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity which power the vehicle. The only by-product as a result of the fuel combustion is water.
The Nexo has been showcased earlier alongside the Kona in 2018 at the Korea Business Summit in Delhi and the car is already on sale in South Korea. The 5-door SUV is powered by a 95 kW hydrogen fuel cell and a 40 kW battery pack connected to a 120 kW electric motor which develops an output of 163 PS of power and 395 Nm of torque. The fuel-cell vehicle can deliver an estimated range of around 666 kilometres (WLTP) and can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in 9.2 seconds with a claimed top speed of 179 kmph.
The Indian government has slashed the GST levied on hydrogen-powered vehicles from 28% to 12% but like all alternative fuel vehicles, the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will require a setup of new hydrogen filling stations.
On 9th July the company launched the country’s first long-range all-electric SUV the Hyundai Kona at INR 25.30 lakh ex-showroom. The Hyundai Kona claims a range of 452 km on a single charge and comes with a host of other features. The brand is working towards the introduction of around 18 environmentally friendly models including electric and hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles in the global market some of them are also slated for India in the near future including a mass-market small electric car which is going to be developed together by Hyundai and Kia Motors.
Other than Hyundai no other manufacturer has shown interest in developing or launching a hydrogen powered vehicle in India. Tata Motors has showcased a hydrogen-fuel-cell bus and Toyota has been developing the fuel-cell technology but are currently focussing on the hybrids in India.
