» OUR FE FUEL CELL CONCEPT CAR IS
A PROMISE: IT RAISES THE BAR
REGARDING THE PERFORMANCE OF
FUEL CELL VEHICLES. «
DR. WOONG CHUL YANG,
Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company and Head of Hyundayi R&D Center
F O C U S 5
Photos: © Hyundai Motor Company
‹F.›: Dr. Yang, with the new
IONIQ, Hyundai offers a completely
new dimension of fuel efficiency,
clean emissions, performance
and design. Can you tell us a little
about the vision behind the making
of the IONIQ family?
‹Dr. Yang›: The Hyundai IONIQ is
an important milestone in Hyundai
Motor’s sustainability strategy, bringing
to life the brand’s new thinking
through new innovative technologies
and extending the company’s product
range to support further organic
sales growth in Europe.
With the IONIQ Hybrid, IONIQ
Electric and IONIQ Plug-in, we are
the first brand to offer three electrified
powertrains in one body – this
is a global first. Our new approach
delivers uncompromising design
and driving experience through innovative
technology, making low to
zero-emission mobility accessible to
everyone.
‹F.›: For the last two decades, Hyundai
has been at the forefront of hydrogen
vehicle development. What is your
ambition regarding future mobility?
‹Dr. Yang›: Our ambition is to create
a zero-emission society based on hydrogen.
In 2013, our ix35 Fuel Cell
(Tucson Fuel Cell in some markets)
became the world’s first mass-produced
hydrogen-powered vehicle.
Now, the 4th generation of Fuel Cell
vehicles has a maximum range of
594 km on a single tank of fuel – and
it only takes three minutes to charge.
We are very proud of the progress
that has been made in rolling out
our Fuel Cell vehicle in many European
cities, like our initiatives with
the Paris-based electric taxi start-up
STEP (Societe du Taxi Electrique
Parisien) or the car sharing program
of Linde in Germany. Both run the
ix35 Fuel Cell as taxis and car sharing
vehicles. These FCEVs will replace
petrol and diesel-powered cars and
save a considerable amount of CO2
per year in exhaust emissions.
Hyundai Motor is also part of a
global initiative called “Hydrogen
Council”, which was launched with
12 other industry leaders in Davos,
Switzerland, in January of this year.
This new forum aims to expedite the
transition to a hydrogen energy society
and will certainly contribute to
the emergence of hydrogen powered
mobility.
‹F.›: According to worldwide.hyundai.
com, the automobile market is
expected to expand from 2 million
units in 2014 to 6.4 million by 2020.
Does this mean that Hyundai plans
to develop more hybrid, even fully
electric vehicles in the future?
‹Dr. Yang›: Looking ahead, our global
sustainability strategy is to launch
14 new eco models, including hybrids,
plug-in hybrids, pure electric,
as well fuel cell electric models by
2020. With this strong portfolio, we
will shift from being a fast follower
to a first mover in eco cars.
‹F.›: At the Geneva Motor Show
you unveiled a hydrogen-powered
SUV concept car. What are your
expectations for this vehicle?
‹Dr. Yang›: Our FE Fuel Cell Concept
car is a promise: it raises the bar
regarding the performance of fuel cell
vehicles. The concept’s name “FE”
stands for “Future Eco”, reflecting
the innovative new technologies that
complement the car’s eco-friendliness
– a recognition of its unique fuel
source. The FE Concept showcases
Hyundai Motor’s fourth generation
of hydrogen fuel cell technology, an
evolution of research, development
and real-world evaluation programs
around the world. When compared
with the current generation system
used in the Tucson ix35 Fuel Cell,
the new technology is 20 % lighter,
and achieves 10 % greater efficien-