Hyundai Motor Company launched the ‘Universe Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus’ on the 6th.
The Universe Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus is an eco-friendly vehicle that is the world’s first to feature a hydrogen fuel cell system in a high-speed large bus class, emitting no pollutants from energy production to operation.
Hyundai has equipped the Universe Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus with a hydrogen fuel cell system that outputs 180kW, an anti-jerk motor with a maximum output of 335kW and torque of 1,200N·m, and a high-power 48.2kWh lithium-ion battery. The bus can travel a distance of up to 635 km on a single charge.
Hyundai has improved driving stability and ride comfort by applying the world’s first MR (Magneto Rheological fluid) damper and control logic to reduce lateral and longitudinal shaking of the vehicle.
The Universe Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus enhances its value and safety performance through various advanced driver assistance systems.
Smart cruise control, forward collision prevention assist, lane departure warning, driver status warning, haptic steering wheel, rear monitor, and rear parking distance warning help drivers who often travel long distances have a more comfortable and safe driving experience.
The Universe Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus is completed with a forward-looking design representing next-generation eco-friendly transport.
The exterior emphasizes the identity of the hydrogen fuel cell bus by connecting blue lines, symbolizing eco-friendliness, across the black grille at the front, while the sleek roof design creates a clean image.
The interior secures spaciousness through simple slim seats and improves seating comfort based on robust support and comfortable cushioning.
Hyundai will offer the ‘Blue Link Fleet’ service, specialized for commercial vehicles, for free for five years to provide convenience to customers purchasing the Universe Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus.
The Blue Link Fleet service not only analyzes fuel efficiency and charging but also provides information about the vehicle’s condition, from real-time operational status to malfunction occurrences, enabling efficient vehicle checks and maximizing operational efficiency through driving analysis.
Since the sale of the ‘Xcient Hydrogen Electric Truck’ in Switzerland in 2019 as the world’s first, Hyundai began selling the ultra-low floor ‘Elec City Hydrogen Electric Bus’ in 2020 and the ‘Xcient Hydrogen Electric Truck’ in 2022, and the launch of the Universe Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus completes Hyundai’s entire lineup of hydrogen fuel cell-powered large commercial vehicles.
The Universe Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus development started in 2021 as a police bus and completed its development as a general high-speed bus in 2022, and it was put into a pilot operation project in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and local governments in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam.
The Universe Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus is selected as a target model for the fuel cell replacement pilot project for hydrogen buses conducted by the Ministry of Industry and will be prioritized for supply to the six local governments undertaking the pilot project, contributing to expanding the market for eco-friendly transport with hydrogen fuel cell buses and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector.
A Hyundai official stated, “Hyundai Motor Company plans to fully transition its entire lineup of commercial vehicles to eco-friendly vehicles by 2028, and with the launch of the Universe Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus, hydrogen fuel cell systems are applied to all large commercial vehicles, and we will do our best to meet the growing demand from customers for eco-friendly commercial vehicles.”
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr