Test Drive NEXO shows off strength without making noise
The 2018 Hyundai Motor NEXO hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle on the highway to PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, Monday. / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
By Park Jae-hyuk
PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province ― An interesting feature of the 2018 Hyundai Motor NEXO SUV a person will notice as soon as they start driving will be the hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle’s (FCEV) quietness.
When you start the car, you won’t hear the roar of an internal combustion engine. The only sounds you hear while driving are noises from the wind and the 17-inch Michelin tires on the road.
The silence, however, does not mean the SUV lags behind gasoline or diesel-powered models in strength.
The world’s most advanced hydrogen-powered vehicle, which this reporter got to test drive this week for a 250-kilometer journey from the Hyundai Motor Studio in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, to the Olympic Medal House in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, seemed powerful enough for those who want to enjoy speed.
The car does 0-to-100 kilometers per hour in 9.5 seconds, according to Hyundai Motor.
During the test drive, its speed went up quickly without making noise, so those who are not used to FCEVs may not notice they are driving too fast when they step on the accelerator.
The car is environmentally friendly at the same time, unlike internal combustion engine vehicles in the same class.
Its exhaust pipe only emits pure water, as the car produces electricity through a reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.
Emphasizing that NEXO can significantly reduce carbon emissions and fine dust, Hyundai Motor Vice President Lee Kwang-guk told reporters the hydrogen FCEV has emerged rapidly as one of the most realistic eco-friendly means of transportation.
The vehicle’s on-board screen displays the amounts of air cleaned and carbon dioxide reduced as well, so drivers will drive the car with pride, knowing they are saving the environment.
According to the nation’s leading carmaker, NEXO can travel up to 609 kilometers without a recharge.
Its fuel efficiency is 96.2 kilometers per kilogram, as 6.33 kilograms of compressed hydrogen can be injected into the car. A full recharge takes about five minutes, but Hyundai has yet to decide the price of a kilogram of hydrogen. The company said it will offer the element at an affordable price.
Of course, sudden acceleration and deceleration take away from its fuel efficiency. A screen on the car’s dashboard shows how far you can drive, but fuel-efficient driving can increase the distance.
Another way to save on fuel costs is using the cruise mode. The lane keeping assist system enables the car to autonomously steer while staying a safe distance from any car in front of it.
There is a need, however, for more charging stations in the nation.
Korea had only 12 hydrogen charging stations as of late last year. The number is far less than that of Japan, which has more than 100 charging stations.
Lee vowed to set up additional charging stations and service centers nationwide.
The eco-friendly and high-performance vehicle will be released in Korea next month.
Given that the government will offer subsidies for electric vehicles, consumers will be able to buy a NEXO for about 40 million won ($36,000). The price is much lower than the price of the company’s previous hydrogen-powered vehicle, the Hyundai Tucson ix FCEV, which cost over 100 million won.