Tucson fuel cell crossover accumulates 1 million zero-emission miles in U.S.

SEOUL, Feb. 13 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co.'s Tucson fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) accumulated 1 million zero-emission miles in the United States, local industry sources said Saturday.

The crossover, the world's first massed produced fuel cell car, started to reach U.S. consumers in June 2014, with all sales taking place in the southern California region. The region has the necessary hydrogen fueling station infrastructure that can allow the cars to be driven.

Data provided by Hyundai, South Korea's No. 1 carmaker, claimed that the landmark numbers mean the Tucson helped cut back carbon dioxide emissions by 385 tons while they have been in operation.

"The fact that they have been successfully on the road opens new horizons for the green car market," an auto market watcher said.

He pointed out that the motor used on the Tucson FCEV has been tapped as one of the top 10 engines in the world by Wards Auto.

The car is capable of reaching top speeds of 160 kilometers per hour and can hit 100 kph from zero in 12.5 seconds, roughly on par with internal combustion engine vehicles in the same class.

Because the car is operated by electric power, it has very good low-end torque and initial acceleration speed.

Hyundai said that the car can travel 415 kilometers or over 253 miles between fill-ups. This range helps do away with the range anxiety issue that has plagued almost all pure electric vehicles in the past.

The carmaker said it is currently working to boost sales of the car in the United States.

yonngong@yna.co.kr
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