Hyundai Initium: promising hydrogen-electric SUV
The Hyundai Initium previews a new hydrogen-electric-powered SUV that Hyundai will present in the first half of next year. This concept car embodies a 27-year period of Hyundai working on the development of hydrogen-electric-powered cars and making the case for creating a sustainable hydrogen society.
New design language ‘Art of Steel’
The hydrogen-electric SUV also demonstrates Hyundai’s new design language called “Art of Steel. Initium reflects HTWO, Hyundai Motor Group’s label under which the brand is committed to building a hydrogen company.
“Hyundai’s undeniable commitment to hydrogen over the past 27 years stems from our belief in the potential of hydrogen as a clean, accessible and fair energy source for all,” said Jaehoon Chang, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. “We are committed to a future where hydrogen can be used everywhere and by everyone. We invite everyone to join us on this journey.”
Hydrogen Company
During the presentation of its vision for HTWO Grid – a total hydrogen energy solution that includes production, storage, transportation and use – Hyundai Motor Group reiterated its desire to actively contribute to the development of a hydrogen company.
Robust and safe
SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design said, “Our challenge began during the production process where we tested the deformability of steel in every possible way to create a form of art. With Initium, we finally created an SUV-like study model that is both rugged and safe and which reflects our focus on customer-centric design.”
In developing Initium, Hyundai focused on three key aspects: a long driving range and enhanced performance (key strengths of hydrogen cars), a spacious interior and luggage space (making the car ideal for families) and unique convenience and safety features (characteristic of hydrogen cars).
Intended driving range of more than 650 km
One of the biggest advantages of a hydrogen-electric vehicle is its substantial driving range. Hyundai has equipped Initium with large hydrogen tanks to maximize the driving range and thus increase flexibility. To reduce drag, the concept car is equipped with aerodynamic wheels and low rolling resistance tires, resulting in a target driving range of more than 650 km.
With the continuous development of Hyundai’s hydrogen technology, both fuel cell power and battery capacity have been further increased, providing up to 150 kW of electric motor power. This ensures a smooth driving experience in both city and highway driving.
Initium’s spacious interior is ideal for families, with extra space for second-row passengers who can tilt their seat backs for even greater comfort. The wide body and wide opening angle of the rear doors increase occupants’ ease of entry and exit.
Special route planner
The Hyundai Initium is equipped with a special route planner specifically for hydrogen-electric vehicles. This route planner helps users on the road find hydrogen fueling stations without having to use a separate app. Users can easily find information on accessibility, current status and waiting times at refueling stations.
In addition, Initium’s fuel cell can deliver electricity back without emitting pollutants. Via the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function, domestic appliances, for example, can thus be powered. By means of a special adapter in the charging socket on the outside of the concept car, Initium can be connected directly to a 220V socket. This makes Initium not only a car for driving from A to B, but also a potential energy source.
When developing Initium, every effort was made to create the safest possible car. To protect occupants in the event of a collision, Initium features a reinforced structure at the front and sides. In addition, Initium is equipped with as many as nine airbags, guaranteeing world-class crash safety performance.
Los Angeles Auto Show
Hyundai will show Initium at the Los Angeles Auto Show and Auto Guangzhou auto exhibition in November. With the unveiling of its latest hydrogen-electric concept car, Hyundai is further cementing its position as a leader in hydrogen mobility worldwide. The launch of the production version of Initium is scheduled for the first half of 2025.
Pushing boundaries
In 2005, Hyundai established the Mabuk Environmental Technology R&D Center to accelerate the development of hydrogen-electric cars. At the time, Mong-Koo Chung, Honorary Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, encouraged the researchers to push boundaries and face technical challenges with courage and confidence.
“You can never make something great by only creating it once,” Chung said. “Don’t worry about the budget; let young engineers create any type of car they dream of. It’s nonsense to develop the same car a hundred times. On the contrary, it’s fine if all those hundred models are totally different.”
Hyundai’s hydrogen evolution made Hyundai the first automaker in the world to develop hydrogen-electric cars on a large scale. In 2018, Hyundai introduced the successful NEXO, one of the first mass-produced cars with a fuel cell, reiterating the brand’s commitment to a cleaner and better future.
