South Korea’s largest maker says Initium concept is a preview of a Nexo replacement out next year.

ELECTRIC cars are still foremost in Hyundai’s game plan - the next, a parallel to the biggest product from sub-brand Kia here at present - will be unveiled very soon.

However, while the impending seven seater Ioniq 9 electric sports utility that will site in the same space as the Kia EV9 - with the same E-GMP platform as the Kia, plus Hyundai’s own Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 - is highly important, the Seoul-based global giant also sees a future with another SUV revealed at the weekend.

The Initium is a concept that previews a production model coming out next year. It replaces the car electric vehicle fans scoff at: The Nexo. 

One of the very few hydrogen fuel cell cars in production, Nexo has been around since 2018 and there are several in New Zealand, one sold to a private buyer. Hyundai NZ says it has a commitment to hydrogen, to extent it has heavy trucks here o a long term trial with NZ Post.

Why bother? Because the Hyundai is unwavering it contending that hydrogen is vital to the future of motoring, just as vital - if not more - than electric cars.

Says company president and chief executive Jaehoon Chang: “Hyundai Motor’s clear, unwavering commitment to hydrogen over the past 27 years is rooted in our belief in its potential as a clean, accessible and therefore fair energy source for everyone. 

“We are dedicated to pioneering a future where hydrogen is used by everyone, in everything, and everywhere. We invite you to join us on this journey.”

Hyundai isn’t alone in this commitment. In all, eight major car brands have hydrogen programmes. They include Toyota, which has been at it longest, with a programme that dates back to 1992.

Initium was revealed at an event called ‘Clearly Committed’ held at Hyundai’s Motorstudio in Goyang, South Korea. 

According to Hyundai, the Initium — the Latin for ‘beginning’ or ‘first’ — previews not only a Nexo replacement but also gives lends first look at a new Hyundai design language, called ‘Art of Steel’. 

Hyundai says that it has outfitted the Initium with bigger hydrogen tanks, and thanks to those allied to improved aerodynamics, the Initium has a range of up to 650km on one fill of hydrogen. Crucially - and the big potential advantage that hydrogen cars hold over battery-electric models - refuelling takes only a few minutes.

The improved power output of the fuel cell (which chemically combines hydrogen from the tanks with oxygen from the outside air to create both an electric current and water, which is the only by-product) has allowed Hyundai to fit a more powerful 150kW electric motor too.

Inside, the Initium gets a roomy cabin with reclining rear seats for extra comfort. The rear doors are also designed to open at a wide angle, for optimal ingress and egress.

The sat-nav is programmed to help a user navigate between hydrogen fuelling stations. In New Zealand that’s fairly logical. There’s one in Auckland, another in Palmerston North. Both are visited by hydrogen fuel Hyundai heavy trucks used in a trial with NZ post.

The fuel cell has a 220-volt external socket so that it can act as a personal power station, powering other items including your house.