Hydrogen Hyundai Nexo lands
Hyundai has landed the first 20 zero-emissions Nexo Hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in Australia.
They will be deployed by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government fleet from the third quarter of this year.
The zero emission Nexo SUV is the first hydrogen-powered vehicle to meet Australian Design Rule (ADR) certification and the 20-strong Nexo fleet in the nation’s capital will represent the first use of hydrogen vehicles by any government in Australia.
The SUVs will be deployed in a variety of roles across several ACT government departments
The Lennock Hyundai dealership in the ACT suburb of Phillip will provide service and support for the fleet and becomes the first dealership in Australia capable of servicing hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Canberra’s first 700-bar hydrogen refueling station will provide filling capability for the fleet and will open in the third quarter of 2020, in conjunction with Nexo’s official launch in Australia.
It will become the first publicly-available hydrogen refuelling station in the country and the only permanent facility of its kind.
The new Canberra station will join the private hydrogen refuelling station at Hyundai Motor Company headquarters in Sydney. In addition, hydrogen refuellers in Brisbane and Melbourne are expected to be completed by the end of 2020, with stations also planned for New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
“For a long time, hydrogen has been touted as the fuel of the future. However, with the arrival of a fleet of Nexo FCEVs for the Australian Capital Territory government, we’re pleased to say that it’s now the fuel of today,” Hyundai Motor Company Australia CEO, Mr. Jun Heo, said.
“Nexo is the embodiment of our long-term commitment to introducing hydrogen-powered transport in Australia and around the world,” he said.
Hyundai is now the only brand in Australia to offer hydrogen fuel-cell electric, hybrid (Ioniq), battery electric (Ioniq and Kona) and plug-in hybrid (Ioniq) vehicles.
The Hyundai Nexo offers a range of 666km (WLTP) with a refuelling time of three to five minutes, emits only water vapour from its exhaust and also purifies the air as it drives.
Nexo is also the first fuel cell electric vehicle to be awarded the maximum five-star overall safety rating by Australia’s ANCAP.
Its introduction follows the release of Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy which acknowledges the important role hydrogen mobility can play in achieving its target of establishing Australia at the forefront of the global hydrogen industry by 2030.
