Hyundai opens world’s first assembly line for zero-emissions fuel cell cars

Hyundai today became the world’s first automaker to begin assembly-line production of zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered vehicles for fleet use.

The first vehicle produced by the company’s Ulsan manufacturing facility was a white Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell. Based on Hyundai’s popular C-segment SUV, the ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle exited the assembly line at Hyundai Motor Company’s Plant No. 5 during a launch event attended by Hyundai top management and VIPs.

“With the ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle, Hyundai is leading the way into the zero-emissions future. The ix35 Fuel Cell is the most eco-friendly vehicle in the auto industry and proves that hydrogen fuel cell technology in daily driving is no longer a dream,” Hyundai Motor Vice Chairman, Eok Jo Kim said at the ceremony today.

The ix35 Fuel Cell unveiled at the ceremony will be one of 17 destined for fleet customers in the City of Copenhagen, Denmark and Skåne, Sweden. The Municipality of Copenhagen, as part of its initiative to be carbon-free by 2025, will be supplied with 15 ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles for fleet use, according to an agreement that was announced in September 2012. Two ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles will be supplied to Skåne, Sweden.

Hyundai plans to build 1,000 ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles by 2015 for lease to public and private fleets, primarily in Europe.