Hyundai’s ‘Hydrogen Vision 2040’ contains trailer drones and a gas cell supercar | Engadget

Despite its issues together with inefficiency and air pollution, Hyundai is betting large on hydrogen. The firm has unveiled a brand new technique referred to as Hydrogen Vision 2040, together with next-gen gas cell know-how and new idea automobiles embody vehicles, trailer drones and a 650 horsepower hybrid fuel-cell sports activities automotive developed together with its new partner, Rimac.

The most intriguing hydrogen product is the gas cell Trailer Drone, a cab-less “hydrogen-powered container transportation system capable of operating fully autonomously,” in line with Hyundai. Powered by the modular gas cell “e-Bogie” wheel sub-frame, it may journey as much as 1,000 km on a tank of H2, “comparable to existing container transportation system.” The trailer itself would comprise the sensors and computer systems wanted for autonomous driving. 

The e-Bogies may function independently or be utilized in pairs to make up a Trailer Drone. Each bogie may flip independently, making the trailer extra maneuverable than a standard semi on tight streets. They may additionally function in platoons on the freeway to spice up effectivity. On arrival, the trailer may routinely unload itself by lifting onto legs, transformer model, whereas the e-Bogies drive away to the subsequent activity. The trailers may even be divided into three containers, making the vast majority of the journey linked then breaking away into impartial e-Bogies to the ultimate vacation spot. 

The automaker can also be excited by client tech, unveiling a 670 horsepower hydrogen plug-in hybrid sports activities automotive referred to as the Vision FK idea developed in collaboration with Rimac. It’s powered by Hyundai’s next-gen gas cell tech, mated to a big battery pack. As such, it may very well be plugged in for further vary or powered by hydrogen. Since a gas cell may instantly cost the battery (or powered the 4 impartial motors), the operation could be a bit less complicated than a gas-powered hybrid automotive. 

Hyundai stated it might be capable to go about 600 km (372 miles) on a cost, and be refueled once more in simply 5 minutes — not counting the battery recharge time. As it stands now, it is only a idea and Hyundai has no concrete plans to place it in manufacturing. 

Hyundai additionally unveiled its third-generation gas cell stack know-how, anticipated to reach in 2023 and substitute Hyundai’s present Nexo gas cell tech. They’ll be obtainable in a 100 kW unit that is 30 p.c smaller than Hyundai’s present 95 kW stack, and a 200 kW model related in dimension to the present Nexo mannequin however with greater than double the output. 

The new gas cells have a goal lifetime of 500,000 km (310,000 miles), up from 160,000 km for the present era. Hyundai additionally expects the next-gen tech to price round half of present gas cells. They’re additionally extremely modular, that means you may stack them to create “Power Unit Modules” with as much as a megawatt of output “ideal for emergency power systems for large ships or IT companies,” Hyundai stated. Another “full-flat” system retains the stack top below 10 inches for set up within the flooring or ceiling of buses, trains or trams.

 One of the principle issues with hydrogen energy is the dearth of infrastructure and Hyundai is addressing that with the H Moving Station idea. It’s a heavy-duty automobile designed to supply hydrogen refueling providers in areas with restricted infrastructure like rural areas or development websites. It additionally unveiled the Rescue Hydrogen Generator Vehicle (RHGV). Rather than doling out hydrogen, it makes use of hydrogen gas cells to generate electrical energy for stranded EVs or to energy properties within the occasion of an emergency outage. 

All of this appears to be like promising, however there is a motive most producers are shifting towards battery-powered EVs and away from hydrogen. Hydrogen is a extremely explosive gas that must be saved at very excessive pressures (both 350 or 700 bar), making infrastructure costly and complicated. On prime of that, most hydrogen used within the US is created by reforming methane utilizing steam, a course of that produces significant amounts of CO2 that contributes to world warming. It additionally would not mirror effectively on the know-how that some its best help comes from the oil industry.