Hyundai NZ showcases FCEV Nexo

Hyundai New Zealand has revealed the country’s first zero emissions hydrogen powered SUV, the Nexo, on display at the Mystery Creek Fieldays from June 12-15.

But when the Nexo will go the market here depends on the provision of hydrogen fueling stations.

“This is truly an incredible milestone for Hyundai New Zealand to be able to introduce the Nexo,” Hyundai New Zealand general manager Andy Sinclair says.

He describes it as “the flagship of our growing eco-vehicle portfolio”.

“The Nexo not only embodies our commitment to advanced eco-friendly vehicle development, it also reinforces our leadership in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).”

It’s Hyundai Motor Company’s second-generation of commercial FCEVs, but a first for New Zealand.

The Nexo has an advanced air purification system which filters 99.9% of very fine dust (PM2.5), emitting only water and clean air. A display panel shows the exact amount of air purified.

An on-board electric motor produces 120kW and a torque of 395Nm. That draws power from an under-bonnet fuel cell stack, which combines oxygen from the surrounding air with hydrogen from Nexo’s high-pressure storage tanks. The result is electricity to power the motor and charge the battery. On full hydrogen tanks, Nexo has a 605km (WLTP) range, and refuelling takes just minutes.

With a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, the Nexo features Hyundai’s Smart Sense safety suite (drive assistance technologies) and includes smart parking assist and remote parking assist.

“The exact date for the Nexo going to market in New Zealand ultimately depends on New Zealand’s ability to provide the infrastructure for the hydrogen fuelling stations,” Sinclair says.

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New Zealand has an abundance of renewable electricity that could be used to produce hydrogen in a sustainable way, so we are working closely with the NZ Hydrogen Association towards a solution.”

An association founding member, Hyundai New Zealand was the first automotive manufacturer to join it in 2018.

Association chief executive Dr Linda Wright says Hyundai New Zealand needs to be congratulated for being the first company to bring hydrogen FCEVs to New Zealand.

“I drove the Nexo in Korea last year and understand fully the global demand for Hyundai’s premium fuel cell passenger vehicle. Andy Sinclair would have had to wrestle this vehicle away from other larger markets”, she says.

“It is also a sign that New Zealand’s potential to create a hydrogen economy from our renewable energy resources is attracting attention from countries like Korea and Japan.”