Some see the electric car as the solution for the future, while others, like Hyundai, are not afraid to explore different paths. You may already know this, but the Korean automaker has also been investing in research and development for hydrogen powertrains for many years. The brand's first hydrogen concept dates back to 2000 with the hydrogen-powered Santa Fe.
If this is the kind of thing that interests you, know that Hyundai already offers a hydrogen model. It's called the NEXO. In fact, they’ve gone even further as the Korean automaker has also developed a hydrogen-powered semi-truck.
A new concept
For 2024, the Korean manufacturer is introducing a new concept called INITIUM. It’s a hydrogen fuel cell electric SUV. At the moment, it's not intended as a production model, but the concept is still quite intriguing. However, Hyundai has announced that the concept is the precursor to a new hydrogen model, which will be revealed next year. It remains unclear whether this will be an entirely new model or simply the next generation of the NEXO.
The Hyundai INITIUM is expected to have a range of about 650 kilometers on a full tank of hydrogen.
The main goal of the INITIUM concept is to present a new aesthetic signature for the brand, and I think it succeeds in this respect. Once again, we see a vehicle that combines both retro and modern styles, which is quite appealing. The model features square-shaped lighting and a robust body design. It almost looks as if the Korean automaker’s vehicle is ready to face an apocalypse.
This is what Hyundai calls the “art of steel,” its new design language. The idea is to offer a vehicle that is "both robust and protective," as stated by Hyundai and Genesis’s Vice President and Global Design Director in a recent press release on the topic.
With the INITIUM concept, Hyundai is also taking the opportunity to promote various technologies, including a route planner that helps locate refueling infrastructure more easily. According to Hyundai, this is one of the top concerns of buyers when it comes to hydrogen vehicles.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
