Hyundai Motor¡¯s electrification roadmap may be affected by next-gen fuel cell snag

2021.12.29 11:32:29 | 2021.12.29 15:28:26

2021 Nexo Fuel Cell [Source: Hyundai Motor Co.]À̹ÌÁö È®´ë

2021 Nexo Fuel Cell [Source: Hyundai Motor Co.]

Hyundai Motor Co. may have to push back its ambitious roadmap to release Genesis-marque cars entirely in green fuel from 2025 due to snag in third-generation fuel cell power development.

The automaker aims to complete developing the third-generation hydrogen fuel cell system by 2023 to charge hydrogen Genesis cars with lighter and more efficient fuel cell power from 2025.

The company, however, reportedly has encountered a trouble with membrane, a key component of hydrogen fuel cell that it is struggling to upgrade after having durability issue in the first- and second-generation versions, according to industry sources on Tuesday.

Membrane upgrade has taken longer than expected as the company is yet to solve the membrane¡¯s durability issue, said a source knowledgeable on the affair.

The automaker denies the speculation, claiming its roadmap on next-generation fuel cell development and electrification of Genesis fleet remains intact.

But Industry watchers sense otherwise, pointing to the company¡¯s latest organizational reshuffle. In its year-end reshuffle, the company promoted Park Jung-kook as head of R&D headquarters from deputy position. Park will also spearhead overall hydrogen business, which was recently launched. Kim Se-hoon, executive vice president who had led the original hydrogen fuel cell team, has been asked to focus only on development.

A Hyundai Motor official said the organizational change related to hydrogen business is a move to strengthen the team, adding that such changes are often made in line with development adjustments during project execution.

In addition to suspected delay in fuel cell system upgrade, Hyundai Motor is faced with engine defect problem. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched investigation into Hyundai Motor and Kia cars over potential engine fires, according to multiple media outlets on Tuesday. The authority¡¯s analysis investigation covers more than 3 million cars – 2011 to 2016 model year cars of Hyundai Elantra, Santa Fe and Sonata, as well as Kia Optima, Rio, Sorento and Soul. The engines in question are Theta II GDI, Theta II MPI, Theta II MPI hybrid, Nu GDI and Gamma GDI.

NHTSA has received 161 complaints of engine fires, which also reportedly include vehicles that had already been recalled.

The U.S. authority said it will determine whether another recall is needed.

By Seo Jin-woo, Lee Sae-ha and Cho Jeehyun

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