- Hyundai Initium concept planned for 2024 Los Angeles auto show
- Concept previews hydrogen fuel cell vehicle due in first half of 2025
- Production model expected to replace Nexo
Hyundai on Thursday provided a first look at a concept vehicle that previews a production-bound hydrogen fuel cell vehicle due in the first half of 2025.
The concept is the Initium SUV, and Hyundai plans to formally unveil the vehicle at the 2024 Los Angeles auto show later this month. A simultaneous debut will take place at the 2024 Guangzhou auto show in China, which also runs this month.
Hyundai Initium concept
The Initium features a boxy, somewhat rugged design that Hyundai is slowly introducing across its SUV lineup, a design change which kicked off with the 2024 Santa Fe. The production version of the Initium concept has already been spotted testing, and will serve as the replacement for Hyundai's Nexo fuel cell vehicle, though it isn't clear whether the Nexo name will be retained.
The Initium name, which is strictly for the concept, is derived from a Latin word that means “beginning” or “first,” and is meant to highlight Hyundai's status as a pioneer of production fuel cell vehicles. The Nexo has been in production since 2018 and Hyundai has also launched commercial vehicles equipped with fuel cells.
2021 Hyundai Nexo
Like most modern fuel cell vehicles, the Initium features an electric drive system that draws energy from both a fuel cell and a battery, with the battery typically being called upon during high-load situations. Here the electric motor is 201 hp, which is a 50-hp upgrade over the motor in the Nexo. This is made possible, Hyundai said, due to a more powerful fuel cell stack and increased battery capacity. In the Nexo, the fuel cell is rated at 127 hp and the battery has a 40-kwh capacity.
Hyundai hasn't provided additional specifications apart from a range estimate of just over 400 miles, though the automaker hasn't said what test cycle was used when calculating the estimate. To help maximize range, the vehicle rides on aerodynamically shaped wheels wrapped in low rolling resistance tires.
Hyundai Initium concept
Hyundai has been developing fuel cells for almost three decades and has no plans to abandon the technology, despite the lack of hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Companies pursuing the technology plan to continue offering products to spur demand that energy companies can then meet.
Toyota also offers fuel cell vehicles and recently teamed up with BMW to develop next-generation fuel cell technology. BMW plans to offer the technology in a showroom-bound vehicle due in 2028.
The Los Angeles auto show starts Nov. 22. Hyundai is also expected to present the 2025 Ioniq 9 electric SUV at the event.
