Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell sales in US limited by hydrogen refuelling network
Fewer than 100 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell vehicles have been delivered in the US since launch, with sales restricted by the sparse hydrogen station network in California.
Hyundai has delivered fewer than 100 Tucson Fuel Cell vehicles in the United States since the model’s introduction in summer 2014, with the South Korean manufacturer citing the lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure as the main obstacle to broader sales.
The Tucson Fuel Cell, based on the previous-generation Tucson SUV, is offered on a limited lease programme in Southern California, where public hydrogen stations are concentrated. Hyundai Motor America’s chief executive, Dave Zuchowski, said the company has turned away potential customers who live outside reasonable range of the handful of available refuelling sites. Most stations are located in Los Angeles and Orange County, leaving much of California and the rest of the US without viable access.
California’s hydrogen plans and market impact
California has pledged funding to support a network of at least 100 hydrogen refuelling stations in the coming years. As of late 2015, only around a half-dozen public stations were operational in Southern California, limiting both Hyundai’s and prospective customers’ ability to use fuel cell vehicles for daily driving outside a small area. The state’s expansion plan is intended to support broader adoption as more manufacturers enter the hydrogen market.
Toyota is launching its Mirai fuel cell saloon in the US, also targeting California, while Honda is preparing its own hydrogen model for the market. The limited infrastructure means all manufacturers are initially competing for the same small pool of customers with convenient access to hydrogen. Hyundai, meanwhile, is placing greater emphasis on its Sonata hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, which do not face the same refuelling constraints and can be marketed nationwide.
What it means for buyers and Hyundai’s strategy
Buyers interested in the Tucson Fuel Cell must live within practical distance of one of the few hydrogen stations. Hyundai has declined requests from customers outside this area, citing the risk of owners being unable to refuel. For most US drivers, this effectively puts the model out of reach until the infrastructure improves.
With the hydrogen network expanding only slowly, Hyundai’s focus is shifting towards hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles that can be sold across the country. The company has said it will continue to support fuel cell technology, but wider adoption in the US will depend on the pace of infrastructure investment and competition from other alternative powertrains.
- Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell: fewer than 100 delivered in US since launch
- Toyota Mirai: entering US market, also limited by station network
- Honda: preparing hydrogen model for US introduction
