Hyperion H2 car set for August launch

A Hyperion XP-1 fuel cell supercar reportedly using NASA tech will be launched in August by the Hyperion Company based in Orange, California.

The company says it has been working on the project since 2016 and it aimed to reveal the fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) at the 2020 New York International Auto Show in April, the show rescheduled because of COVID-19 to August 29-September 7.

Instead, Hyperion has opted to share its “First Chapter” of a “journey into the future of clean, renewable hydrogen energy” in an online reveal next month.

Founded in 2011, Hyperion is a technology company comprising three divisions, Hyperion Energy, Hyperion Motors, and Hyperion Aerospace – all focused on hydrogen-based power and delivery.

“From road vehicles to space travel, Hyperion seeks to completely revolutionise the transportation industry by offering convenient, high-quality, low-cost hydrogen fuel across America,” it says.

Hyperion claims FCEVs have greater range than battery electric vehicle (BEVs), with refuelling times comparable to present internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.

The company told Green Car Reports it has received “many millions over 8+ years” through venture capital firms, private equity firms, hedge funds, and various other investors. It has a 200-person total workforce.

While several companies have developed BEV performance cars, there’s nothing like the XP-1 in the sports car/supercar realm, Green Car Reports

adds.

Toyota’s new Mirai will be sporty and include 643km range in the redesign.

The Nikola Badger ute aims to combine battery and FCEV power for a combined 965km range, the company planning to reveal it in December while already taking pre-orders.

Hydrogen cars have so far been hampered by a lack of fuelling infrastructure, and FCEVs could be used as a range booster for BEVs particularly on long-haul heavy trucks.

Both New Zealand and Australia are developing hydrogen economies and planning H2 refuelling sites.