Hyundai Motor Co. began mass production of its ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle February 26th and will debut the hydrogen-powered vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show running from March 7th through March 17th. Hyundai is the first automaker to have an assembly-line production of a hydrogen-powered, zero-emissions vehicle. The first ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle rolled off the assembly line will be displayed at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell is powered by hydrogen. A fuel cell stack converts the hydrogen into electricity, which turns the vehicle’s motor. The only emission generated by the ix35 Fuel Cell is water. Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell boasts drivability and performance similar to that of the petrol ix35.

Currently the ix35 is being produced for fleet operations and many European cities already placed orders. Copenhagen, Denmark has requested fifteen ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles to further their plan to be carbon-free by 2025 and Skåne, Sweden has requested two.

The first Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle rolled off the assembly line will be displayed at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Credit: Hyundai.

“With the ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle, Hyundai is leading the way into the zero-emissions future,” Hyundai Motor Vice Chairman, Eok Jo Kim said at the ceremony today. “The ix35 Fuel Cell is the most eco-friendly vehicle in the auto industry and proves that hydrogen fuel cell technology in daily driving is no longer a dream.”

“Assembly-line production of fuel cell vehicle marks a crucial milestone in the history of the automobile industry not just in Korea, but throughout the world,” Mang Woo Park, mayor of Ulsan, Korea, said in his congratulatory message. “By supplying more hydrogen refueling stations to support the eco-friendly fuel cell vehicles produced, we will make Ulsan the landmark for eco-friendly automobiles.”

Hyundai plans to build 1,000 ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles by 2015 for lease to public and private fleets, primarily in Europe, where the European Union has initiated construction of hydrogen fueling stations. This strategy will help to establish refueling stations and prepare the market for mass production of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. After 2015, with lowered vehicle production costs and further developed hydrogen infrastructure, Hyundai will begin manufacturing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for consumer retail sales.