Hyundai’s Initium SUV seems perfectly crafted for Australia, boasting eye-catching design, rugged off-road capability, and an impressive range of 650km on a single refill.
However, there’s a catch. It runs on hydrogen.
While electric vehicles (EVs) can recharge via public stations or home sockets, a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) like the Initium requires a hydrogen refuelling station.
And no, you won’t be finding one of those at your local supermarket anytime soon.
Australia currently has only 12 hydrogen refuelling stations, either operational or under development. At present, hydrogen-powered cars like Toyota’s Mirai and Hyundai’s Nexo are typically reserved for urban fleets, mainly utilised by environmentally conscious government agencies.
Yet Hyundai is at the forefront of addressing this limitation, and the bold Initium concept is set to lead the way in expanding hydrogen’s reach.
The Initium previews a new fuel cell electric vehicle scheduled for release in the first half of 2025, and Hyundai Australia is keen to bring it to local roads.
“We’re working to bring that vehicle – the production version of the Initium – to Australia as a successor to the Nexo,” said Scott Nargar, Hyundai’s Senior Manager for Future Mobility and Government Relations.
Hyundai’s Nexo, a compact SUV, has been in production since 2018. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government even operates a fleet of 20 Nexos in Canberra through a leasing agreement. These vehicles have an impressive range of 666km and are refuelled at Canberra’s Hydrogen Refuelling Facility.
The Initium, however, is designed to appeal to a broader market, potentially even private buyers who have access to hydrogen refuelling.
In terms of aesthetics, this mid-sized SUV stands out. It sports aerodynamic 21-inch wheels, digital side mirrors, unique bumper graphics and lighting designed specifically for Hyundai’s FCEVs, substantial roof racks with LED lighting, and robust cladding around the wheel arches and lower bumpers.
While interior images of the Initium are yet to be revealed, Hyundai promises a screen featuring an FCEV-specific route planner – though it may feel limited if it only directs drivers around Canberra.
Functionally, hydrogen FCEVs operate similarly to EVs but replace battery packs with hydrogen tanks. These tanks supply a fuel cell that generates electricity to drive the electric motors.
One of the significant benefits is that hydrogen cars emit only water, with refuelling times comparable to petrol or diesel. Hyundai’s Nexo, for instance, can be refuelled in three to five minutes – a considerable advantage over slower EV charging.
The Initium is expected to deliver 150kW of power, an upgrade from the Nexo’s 120kW/395Nm, with an anticipated range of 650km per hydrogen refill.
Hyundai’s Scott Nargar is optimistic that the production version of the Initium will enjoy greater success than the Nexo (and Toyota’s Mirai) as hydrogen refuelling stations become more widespread. Hydrogen car sales in Australia have struggled to gain momentum since their debut.
“Limited infrastructure has held us back, but Canberra’s setup could serve as a model to establish hydrogen hubs across other states and territories,” Nargar said.
“This infrastructure expansion creates opportunities for fleets including buses, trucks, passenger cars, and even trams, while potentially encouraging other brands to bring their hydrogen vehicles to market.”
In a promising step forward, BP recently opened Australia’s first hydrogen refuelling station at a retail fuel site in Port of Brisbane.
Hopefully, more will follow suit, so we might soon see the Initium’s hydrogen-powered elegance gliding through Australian streets, leaving only water droplets in its wake.
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