Did you knowSHIFT is taking the stage this fall?
While other carmakers showed offtheir latest concept carsatIAA Mobility in Munich, Hyundai had another focus.
It announced its Hydrogen Vision 2040 at an online event calledHydrogen Wave.
Besides exciting new fuel cell technology, Hyundai also shared its prototypes for new transportation designs and mobility solutions.
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Ok, so what the heck is an e-Bogie?
The term bogie originates from the rail industry.
Rail bogies are wheel subframes that sit under every train car.
The Fuel Cell e-Bogie sits under the truck container, just like a rail bogie.
Placing two e-Bogies on top of each end of a full-sized semi-trailer creates a Trailer Drone.
This is an autonomous trailer capable of piloting itself around shipping yards, highways, and urban centers.
It includes dual independent steering at both ends, making it easy to navigate tight bends and small roundabouts.
It achieves a 450 to 500km driving range on a single charge.
The car combines hydrogen with a plug-in system and rear-while drive to deliver a range of over 600km.
Hyundai revealed no production timelines.
Its nice enough, but not the most exciting news of the event.
There are two power versions.
The 100kW is 30% smaller than its predecessor, making it suitable for different vehicle types.
The 200kW is designed for commercial vehicles, and its power output has doubled an impressive feat.
Large ships or IT companies could also stack the 100kW modular units as an emergency power system.
In 2013, The Tucson FCEV (ix35 Fuel Cell) was introduced in 2013.
Then, in 2018, the company launched the next-generation fuel-cell SUV,NEXO.
It takes just five minutes to fill and can drive up to 666kms without charging.
Hyundai first launched theirXcient Fuel-Cell trucksin 2020.
They feature a 190-kilowatt fuel cell comprising seven high-pressure tanks holding around 35kg of hydrogen.
The company has also been trialing its hydrogen-powered Elec City Fuel Cell bus in Germany this year.
Its worth remembering that hydrogen has had its critics over time, especially in terms of cost and scale.
Yet, Hyundai has remained steadfast toa hydrogen-powered future.
Ive long contended that the battleto win hearts and minds towards hydrogenwill be in the industrial space.
Hyundais commitment to commercial vehicles, road logistics, and public transport provides a compelling way forward.
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Story byCate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin.
