South Korea’s largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co. unveiled on Thursday its new fuel cell electric vehicle that can travel more than 580 kilometers (360 miles) on a single charge.

The upcoming hydrogen-powered car would go 40 percent farther than the first-generation Tucson ix FCEV. Maximum power output has also improved by more than 20 percent to put it on par with gasoline-powered cars of the same grade.

The new vehicle is fitted with the company’s self-developed membrane electrode assemblies (MEA), a core component of the fuel cell stack. It is likely to be offered at a competitive price as its auto parts sister company Hyundai Mobis has recently completed the industry’s only plant with an integrated system capable of producing all major parts for the fuel cell car. The vehicle is also equipped with the latest adaptive driving assistant system, an advanced safety technology that detects dangers such as lane departure and collision risks.

Hyundai Motor and its sister company Kia Motors Corp. also announced plans to develop 31 eco-friendly models by 2020, including 10 hybrid electric vehicles, 11 plug-in hybrids, eight electric vehicles and two fuel cell cars. The group aims to become the No. 2 player in the market by sales.

Hyundai Motors plans to reveal in the first half of next year the electric version of Kona, its compact sport utility vehicle, with a driving range of 390 kilometers. The company is seeking to extend this driving range to 500 kilometers. It will also introduce an electric version of its luxury sedan Genesis by 2021. Plans to develop a sedan-type fuel cell car are also in the works.

By Woo Je-yoon

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