Photo: Hyundai
With the launch of the 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell, Hyundai is one of the first automakers attempting to bring hydrogen fuel cell technology to the masses. In order to do so, customers probably have to have some understanding of how the technology works, so the South Korean automaker put together a pretty cool infographic to explain the complicated process.
The advantages of a fuel cell vehicle include easy refueling and zero-emission driving, and while the average consumer probably doesn’t even know how an internal combustion engine works, the process of turning hydrogen into electricity is far more complex. To do so, the system requires hydrogen fuel and a fresh oxygen supply, and it splits the hydrogen molecules into positive ions, which are later combined with the oxygen to form water, and negative electrons used to produce electricity.
This electricity can be sent to the fuel cell or stored in the battery before being consumed by the electric motors. In the case of the 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell, the system can operate in four modes: Fuel Cell, Assist, Charge and Regen. In Fuel Cell mode, all of the power comes from the fuel cell, and the Assist mode combines power from the fuel cell and the lithium polymer battery. Regen mode recharges the battery, while the Charge mode uses energy from the fuel cell to recharge the battery when it gets low. A conventional 12-volt battery is mounted in the back of the Tucson for starting and to power non-driving vehicle systems.
Hyundai also focuses on explaining the safety of the pressurized hydrogen tanks, which are mounted in the rear of the 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell and take up the same amount of space as a standard gasoline tank. In the U.S., the Tucson Fuel Cell is rated at 265 miles, and refueling takes the same time as a conventional gas-powered car. Better yet, the only thing emitted from the tailpipe is water.
Head over to Hyundai’s blog or click here to check out the animated infographic on hydrogen fuel cell technology.
This electricity can be sent to the fuel cell or stored in the battery before being consumed by the electric motors. In the case of the 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell, the system can operate in four modes: Fuel Cell, Assist, Charge and Regen. In Fuel Cell mode, all of the power comes from the fuel cell, and the Assist mode combines power from the fuel cell and the lithium polymer battery. Regen mode recharges the battery, while the Charge mode uses energy from the fuel cell to recharge the battery when it gets low. A conventional 12-volt battery is mounted in the back of the Tucson for starting and to power non-driving vehicle systems.
Hyundai also focuses on explaining the safety of the pressurized hydrogen tanks, which are mounted in the rear of the 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell and take up the same amount of space as a standard gasoline tank. In the U.S., the Tucson Fuel Cell is rated at 265 miles, and refueling takes the same time as a conventional gas-powered car. Better yet, the only thing emitted from the tailpipe is water.
Head over to Hyundai’s blog or click here to check out the animated infographic on hydrogen fuel cell technology.
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