Hyundai starts producing zero-emission cars

yogeshnagpal · 28th February 2013, 13:17

Just read it in news that Hyundai is the first automaker in the world to produce zero emission vehicles (hydrogen cell powered). Source 'Autocar India'-

http://www.autocarindia.com/News/334...sion-cars.aspx

I'm surprised to hear that Hyundai is the first manufacturer to start assembly of such cars. Aren't any of the European brands (BMW, Audi, Fiat etc) or Japs (Honda, Toyota) working on such a technology or they haven't succeeded in making one.

The only emission from this vehicle is 'water' they say.

In the next couple of decades, are fossil fuel powered cars going to be extinct ?

What are your thoughts ?

Note to Mods - Please merge with an existing thread if there exists any. Couldn't find an existing thread for this hence started a new one.

antz.bin · 28th February 2013, 13:48

Honda has already launched the FCX Clarity fuel cell car in California. But only as a lease option.

It was featured on TopGear by James May a couple of years back.

yogeshnagpal · 1st March 2013, 08:19

Is there any reason why they are available only as lease options ? Both Honda and Hyundai seem to have initially lease options only ?

I don't get the logic. If technology is at such an advanced level, why aren't they mass produced yet ?

Is it the cost of setting up gas stations, support from the governments or what ?

-Yogesh.

sukhoi30 · 1st March 2013, 14:55

To make hydrogen in its pure form for fuel purposes, you need more energy. This means, more fuel is burnt to produce this fuel. So, currently this is not a viable replacement for fossil fuel.

hellmet · 1st March 2013, 21:21

There is no such thing as "totally sustainable transport". You just move the source of pollution from one place to another. With fossil fuel powered vehicles, the source of pollution is at the place of extraction by leakage of petroleum on land or into water, then pollution by way of transporting it from site to refinery then to the gas station, and finally when it is burnt and released into air from ICEs.

With EVs, the source of pollution now shifts from the tail pipe to the power plant, and with coal powering most of our power plants, it makes it a worse form of air pollution.

Finally, the manufacture of cars is heavily resource intensive and literally thousands of liters of water are spent to produce a single car. In no way earth-friendly.

Manufacturers are keen on making and selling new EVs because that seems to be the trend and something that sells in this age.

Also, please watch "Who killed the electric car" for some idea about how it all works in the industry and why they are given on lease.

28th February 2013, 13:17	#1
yogeshnagpal BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 207 Thanked: 177 Times	Hyundai starts producing zero-emission cars Just read it in news that Hyundai is the first automaker in the world to produce zero emission vehicles (hydrogen cell powered). Source 'Autocar India'- http://www.autocarindia.com/News/334...sion-cars.aspx I'm surprised to hear that Hyundai is the first manufacturer to start assembly of such cars. Aren't any of the European brands (BMW, Audi, Fiat etc) or Japs (Honda, Toyota) working on such a technology or they haven't succeeded in making one. The only emission from this vehicle is 'water' they say. In the next couple of decades, are fossil fuel powered cars going to be extinct ? What are your thoughts ? Note to Mods - Please merge with an existing thread if there exists any. Couldn't find an existing thread for this hence started a new one. Last edited by yogeshnagpal : 28th February 2013 at 13:18. Reason: added 'first manufacturer to start assembly of such cars'
	(1) Thanks

28th February 2013, 13:48	#2
antz.bin BHPian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Pune Posts: 984 Thanked: 3,872 Times	Re: Hyundai starts producing zero-emission cars Honda has already launched the FCX Clarity fuel cell car in California. But only as a lease option. It was featured on TopGear by James May a couple of years back.
	() Thanks

1st March 2013, 08:19	#3
yogeshnagpal BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 207 Thanked: 177 Times	Re: Hyundai starts producing zero-emission cars Is there any reason why they are available only as lease options ? Both Honda and Hyundai seem to have initially lease options only ? I don't get the logic. If technology is at such an advanced level, why aren't they mass produced yet ? Is it the cost of setting up gas stations, support from the governments or what ? -Yogesh.
	() Thanks

1st March 2013, 14:55	#4
sukhoi30 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Mumbai Posts: 344 Thanked: 505 Times	Re: Hyundai starts producing zero-emission cars To make hydrogen in its pure form for fuel purposes, you need more energy. This means, more fuel is burnt to produce this fuel. So, currently this is not a viable replacement for fossil fuel.
	(1) Thanks

1st March 2013, 21:21	#5
hellmet BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: GTA \| GHMC Posts: 886 Thanked: 1,025 Times	Re: Hyundai starts producing zero-emission cars There is no such thing as "totally sustainable transport". You just move the source of pollution from one place to another. With fossil fuel powered vehicles, the source of pollution is at the place of extraction by leakage of petroleum on land or into water, then pollution by way of transporting it from site to refinery then to the gas station, and finally when it is burnt and released into air from ICEs. With EVs, the source of pollution now shifts from the tail pipe to the power plant, and with coal powering most of our power plants, it makes it a worse form of air pollution. Finally, the manufacture of cars is heavily resource intensive and literally thousands of liters of water are spent to produce a single car. In no way earth-friendly. Manufacturers are keen on making and selling new EVs because that seems to be the trend and something that sells in this age. Also, please watch "Who killed the electric car" for some idea about how it all works in the industry and why they are given on lease.
	(2) Thanks