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Hyundai and UTC Fuel Cells Collaborate on all-Weather Fuel Cell Vehicle
Hyundai and UTC Fuel Cells Collaborate on all-Weather Fuel Cell Vehicle
Published 06-26-03
Submitted by Hyundai Motor Co.
The agreement calls for Hyundai and UTC Fuel Cells to work jointly to develop a freeze-capable fuel cell power plant and integrate it into a Hyundai sport utility vehicle platform. Hyundai plans to make fuel cell vehicles available for lease by fleet operators by 2004. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Fuel cell power plants, which combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity without environmentally harmful emissions, produce and consume water. One key challenge in developing fuel cells for transportation applications is starting fuel cells after the water in a system has frozen.
"Hyundai is dedicated to developing commercially viable, zero-emission vehicles and our agreement with UTC Fuel Cells brings us one step closer to our goal," said Dong Jin Kim, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. "By 2004, Hyundai will be testing and evaluating the performance of fuel cell vehicles in fleet applications, allowing us to further refine the application of fuel cells for every-day transportation."
"Our work with Hyundai since 2000 has achieved tremendous results in demonstrating the viability of fuel cell vehicles and specifically the performance of UTC Fuel Cells' proprietary fuel cell design," said Jan van Dokkum, president of UTC Power. "Hyundai has been a terrific partner and we are pleased to be extending our relationship through this agreement."
UTC Fuel Cells and Hyundai have worked together on fuel cell vehicle development since 2000, when the companies unveiled the first Hyundai Santa Fe fuel cell SUV at the California Fuel Cell Partnership opening ceremonies. A total of six Hyundai fuel cell Santa Fe prototypes were produced under the previous agreement. A Hyundai Santa Fe, powered by a UTC Fuel Cells power plant, scored best in class in efficiency and noise at the 2001 Michelin Challenge Bibendum, an annual event where new automotive technologies are evaluated by independent judges.
The goal of Hyundai's fuel cell program is to produce a fuel cell vehicle that appeals to consumers, is environmentally friendly and accelerates the development of a sustainable energy society. Hyundai expects to place fuel cell vehicles into fleet applications beginning as early as 2004, with limited consumer availability planned for 2010.
UTC Fuel Cells' power plants use proprietary technology that better manages the water produced by the fuel cell, resulting in a simple, low-cost system that is quiet, fuel efficient and easy to install. UTC Fuel Cells has been developing and manufacturing fuel cells since 1960. In the transportation market, UTC Fuel Cells is currently partnered with Nissan, Hyundai and BMW to develop fuel cells for automobiles and is developing fuel cells for the bus and fleet vehicle market.
Established in 1969, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai Automotive Group, which includes Kia Motors Corp. and over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates. Employing nearly 50,000 people worldwide, Hyundai Motor posted US$21.94 billion in sales in 2002. Hyundai motor vehicles are sold in 166 countries through 4,504 dealerships and showrooms. Further information about Hyundai Motor Co. and its products is available on the Internet at www.hyundai-motor.com.
UTC Fuel Cells and UTC Power are based in South Windsor, and United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut.
UTC Fuel Cells is a leader in fuel cell production and development for commercial, transportation, residential and space applications.
