In early April, a seemingly inconspicuous news, "Hyundai's hydrogen fuel cell vehicle NEXO China version has been licensed", caused a lot of waves in the Chinese passenger car market. This is Hyundai Motor's first hydrogen fuel cell passenger car that complies with Chinese regulations and is currently allowed to be legally on the road, which will play a role in promoting the development of China's hydrogen energy industry. It is reported that the NEXO China version will be listed this year and fully enter the Chinese market.
Yin Yongyi, Brand Marketing Director of Hyundai Motor Group (China), said: "For the Chinese market in the early stage of the development of the hydrogen energy industry, we believe that NEXO, a mature hydrogen fuel cell model with global recognition, can improve chinese consumers' confidence and recognition of hydrogen energy environmental protection travel, and help the rapid development of China's hydrogen energy industry. ”
The green environmental protection of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles has long been recognized by everyone, but there is always a veil of mystery. How far away hydrogen passenger cars are from consumers, how long, has been no one can answer. Hyundai Motor took the lead in introducing NEXO into the Chinese market at this time, and as a pathfinder, it has great significance for the development of the hydrogen energy industry chain.
Hyundai Motor has been deeply engaged in hydrogen energy for 24 years, and the "HTWO" factory has settled in Guangzhou
Hyundai Motor set up a fuel cell development department as early as 1998, started the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and in 2000, based on the Santa Fe model, developed the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Subsequently, in 2004, the fuel cell stack was independently developed, in 2010, the modularization and generalization of the core components of the fuel cell vehicle mass production model was launched, the world's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle ix35FCEV was released in 2013, the hydrogen fuel cell bus ELEC CITY was launched in 2017, the second-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle NEXO was launched in 2018, and the hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty truck XCIENT Fuel Cell was launched in 2020.
With 24 years of deep cultivation of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Hyundai Motor is at the forefront in mastering core technologies and developing the hydrogen energy vehicle market. As of October last year, NEXO's cumulative global sales have exceeded 20,000 units, ranking first in the world in terms of sales volume, accounting for nearly half of the world's hydrogen fuel cell passenger car market share. At present, it has been listed in South Korea, Europe, the United States and other regions, and will soon be listed in China.
It is understood that although the NEXO China version is adjusted and developed in accordance with Chinese policies and regulations, it maintains a high degree of consistency with the overseas version in terms of core technology, manufacturing and product quality. Especially in terms of safety, NEXO has been tested for electrical safety and hydrogen safety by internationally leading and authoritative testing institutions. For example, in 2018, NEXO received a five-star safety rating from the European NCAP Automotive Safety Crash Test, and in 2019, it received the highest rating of "Top Safety Pick+" in the Vehicle Crash Test of the American Highway Safety Insurance Association (IIHS).
On the other hand, in the long run, Hyundai Motor Group has also released the "FCEV 2030 Vision" for the development of hydrogen energy and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles - to increase the annual production capacity of hydrogen fuel cell systems to 700,000 units by 2030 and build a production system of 500,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
In order to comprehensively expand the new business of hydrogen fuel cells, Hyundai Motor launched the exclusive brand "HTWO" of hydrogen fuel cell systems, with China, South Korea, Europe and the United States as the four key markets, and promoted the production and sales of hydrogen fuel cell systems in key markets. In January 2021, Hyundai Motor's first overseas hydrogen fuel cell system production and sales base "HTWO Guangzhou" officially announced that it "settled" in Guangdong, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year and will produce 6,500 sets of hydrogen fuel cell systems per year for domestic hydrogen fuel cell demand, involving automobiles, generators, ships, trains and other industries.
The working principle of the modern hydrogen fuel car NEXO
First of all, hyundai NEXO has a high-pressure gas storage tank that can accommodate 3.99KG of liquid hydrogen, which is input to the fuel cell silo through the high pressure to the negative electrode, while the air supply system inputs oxygen from the positive electrode, and the two gases enter the fuel cell reactor, generating electricity and water. Of course, the generated electrical energy also needs to pass through inverters, transformers, etc., in order to drive the vehicle through the motor.
This is similar to the range extender model, but instead of obtaining electricity through a fuel generator, it obtains electricity through hydrogen + oxygen. After obtaining electrical energy, the only substance that is ultimately produced is H2O - water.
Hydrogenation is 30 yuan / Kg, which is more economical than pure trams
At present, there are not many hydrogen refueling stations in Beijing, as far as I know, one is in Shunyi and one is in Daxing, which are outside the south and north sixth rings. Hyundai Nexo China requires about 3.99Kg of liquid hydrogen to be injected into the hydrogen storage tank by high pressure, and the cruising range is about 600 kilometers. Due to the state subsidy, the price of liquid hydrogen per Kg at the hydrogen refueling station in Daxing is only 30 yuan, which is 120 yuan when it is full, which is cheaper than pure electric vehicles, except for those who have charging piles at home.
When hydrogenation is carried out by the hydrogenator, it is uniformly operated by the hydrogenator, who is first connected to the ground to prevent static electricity, and then checks the valve and locks the hydrogenation gun. It takes about 5 minutes to fill up, which is basically the same as the refueling speed. At present, it is in the testing stage, and the country does not have a unified price standard for liquid hydrogen. At least this one outside the South Sixth Ring Road in Beijing, the price is still very beautiful.
Is hydrogen fuel safe?
A few years ago, the popular oil to gas did not know whether everyone remembered, the use of liquefied gas instead of gasoline. Many owners of operating vehicles will even modify themselves, and there have been many accidents such as explosions and fires of liquefied gas tanks. Theoretically, the energy of hydrogen fuel will be greater and the danger will be greater, is hydrogen fuel cell vehicle really safe?
In fact, it can be assured that in terms of safety, it is even more reliable than electric vehicles. First of all, the hydrogen storage tank used by the modern hydrogen fuel cell vehicle NEXO is 10 times stronger than steel, and the gate has been specially treated and has a variety of protective measures. Second, there is also a similar "slow gas" function in the protection setting, once it encounters danger, the hydrogen in the tank will be discharged into the atmosphere in a safe way and dissipated naturally. Third, Hyundai Motor NEXO received a five-star safety rating for the European NCAP Automotive Safety Crash Test in 2018.
In other words, whether it is gasoline, electrolyte, hydrogen fuel may be in danger of combustion, hydrogen fuel has the advantage of not spreading in a large area, causing greater harm.
Endurance depends on driving habits
I believe that the pain points about electric vehicles are mainly battery life anxiety and virtual power is not good at judging the real mileage. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles do not need to worry about these problems.
The use of the feeling and fuel vehicle is the same, the battery life basically depends on the driver's driving habits. Eco will be displayed on hyundai NEXO's dashboard, economy, sport, these only depend on the driver's pedaling on the electric door pedal, to put it bluntly, the sharp acceleration will definitely cost more fuel.
Hyundai Nexo China has a 3-speed power recovery option, which can be selected according to habits and environment, which can also increase the mileage. Its standard is 3.99Kg hydrogen fuel endurance of about 596 km (CLTC-P working conditions), which is similar to that of ordinary fuel vehicles. And hydrogen fuel vehicles are not as seriously affected by temperature as electric vehicles, and can maintain a stable endurance in the case of low temperatures.
Hyundai Motor NEXO China Edition, standard family car
Hyundai Nexo China version of the length, width and height are 4680/1860/1640 mm, wheelbase 2790 mm, the size is already relatively close to the mid-size SUV, the front and rear seating space is generous, for the family is completely enough.
In terms of interior, the variety of central control buttons takes a certain amount of time to adapt. In the central control area of the densely packed function buttons, you can find a variety of physical buttons, the design is relatively conservative, the central control screen supports touch, and the user can choose a variety of ways to manipulate.
It is worth mentioning that the central control area is equipped with a USB interface as well as a wireless charging area. Overall, the storage space is decent and can basically meet the needs. Air conditioning and multimedia control system can be found on the main control panel independent buttons, familiar with the future to use is more convenient.
The power is not abrupt, and the handling is similar to that of a fuel vehicle
NEXO's Chinese version of the hydrogen fuel cell power system can produce 161 horsepower and 395 Nm of torque, which is equivalent to the level of 1.5T of fuel vehicles, but the torque output is much more powerful. Accelerates from 100 km/h in about 9.5 seconds.
Driving up feels similar to a fuel car, the power response speed is very fast, there is no sense of lag. But it won't be as strong as a pure electric car. During the driving process, the mileage is very accurate, close to the traditional fuel vehicle, completely depending on the driving habits, when stepping on the power pedal will show whether it is in ECO or POWER.
The vehicle performs well in the driving process, and the passengers in the rear row not only have space and comfortable vision, but also have good tranquility. The chassis filters the bumps well and is a comfortable SUV suitable for home use.
Of course, no matter how you drive, the most reassuring thing is that you don't need to worry about exhaust emissions, press the H2O key to drain the bottom of the car. I think of that hydrogen-powered advertising screen: the exhaust of a fuel vehicle withers the flowers, while the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle can water the flowers and make them bloom.
Written in the end, Hyundai Motor NEXO China edition is a family-oriented SUV, perhaps very close to the fuel vehicle in terms of performance, and there is no obvious difference from the current intelligent electric vehicle configuration in terms of intelligent interconnection, but as the first hydrogen fuel cell SUV model that meets national standards, it is of great significance. In the early stage of the development of hydrogen energy vehicles, as in the early stage of electric vehicles, they faced problems such as high production costs and lack of infrastructure such as energy stations. With the continuous practice and advancement in the market, hydrogen energy family cars will surely develop by leaps and bounds.
This article was first published on the Titanium Media APP, picture \text| Wang Zhenchao