1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Testdriving a Fuel Cell car from Hyundai

Discussion in 'Fuel Cell Vehicles' started by Troy Heagy, Jul 24, 2014.

  1. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Korean pronunciation: "HYun-die" (the y is not silent, and the last syllable is not 'day'). :)

    The lease cost totals $21,000 which is a pretty steep price for a car I can only drive 36,000 miles (and then the lease ends). 60 cents/mile. Normally my cars last 200,000 or more miles, with a price of ~15 cents/mile including gasoline. Heck even a Tesla EV only costs ~35 cents/mile.
     
  2. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2003
    7,093
    2,100
    1,174
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Interested to hear your feedback on the drive and Hyundai's pitch on how you're going to fill it up. I enjoyed the Highlander FCV concept that Toyota let me drive a few years ago. The drive was very similar to a low-end EV.
     
  3. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    It will be filled-up at hydrogen stations in Orange County and Los Angeles County. Almost all of them are located along I-405..... you can only go 125 miles away from this area, since there are no other charging stations.

    In other words I could drive to San Diego and back, but not Vegas (no stations) or San Francisco (the hydrogen stations are 50 miles too far away). Very limiting.

    You were right..... the Tucson FCV felt very sluggish. Like a weak electric car. The range is no better than a Tesla (~270 miles) but the price is much steeper.

    I was surprised to see a "charge" and "power" meter similar to the one in my insight (see left photo). That means the fuel cell car has regenerative braking which it uses to fill-up a Motive battery..... like a hybrid car.
     
  4. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    B-class SUV (two year lease). Mercedes had to replace the battery. Not sure why, but it shows even hydrogen cars have battery replacement concerns (just like full EVs). I just picked it up last evening, but unfortunately I can't refuel it (hydrogen stations in my area are down). I also need to be "trained" how to use each & every station which I think is California Stupid..... meanwhile I drove it about 50 miles:

    - the car operates kinda like a Volt (in mountain/battery reserve mode). The fuel cell car runs in pure EV mode downto 49% and then the engine turns on to recharge the battery. Except instead of a gasoline-powered engine, this car uses the hydrogen-powered fuel cell.

    - the fuel cell generator will try to hold the battery near 50%. It turns off if battery is above 55 until the charge level drops back to 49. Perhaps this increases lifespan? (I've seen my prius do similar behavior if its battery gets too full.)

    - 0-60 time feels sluggish... over 11 seconds. Regen braking is also surprisingly weak. It isn't like the Tesla or Leaf that pushes you forward in the seat. It's more gentle than that (though not as gentle as Prius braking).

    - the hydrogen tank lies in the rear trunk area (where the spare tire would normally go). The sign reads "service access only".

    - if my car runs out of range (240 miles), then Mercedes will provide a free loaner car and take their FCV back to the shop

    ;) :) :D
     
    #4 Troy Heagy, Sep 10, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2014
    GrumpyCabbie likes this.
  5. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    21,600
    11,224
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Fuel cells use a compressor to inject the needed air into the fuel cell. Hyundai managed a cell stack that doesn't require this. So it's much quieter, but might be part of the reason why it is the least efficient FCEV available.
     
  6. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    1,968
    813
    0
    Location:
    L.I.- NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
  7. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Hmmm... Hyundai said their car has the same range as the Mercedes (240 miles). I would have rented the Hyundai but the cost was higher: $14,000 versus $12,000. Mercedes also has better service with free carwashes, shuttles to the airport, and the option to end the lease anytime I desire.
     
  8. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    6,722
    2,120
    45
    Location:
    North Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    So when the petrolheads all laugh at BEVs and say that hydrogen is the future they forget that the fuel cell car has a battery than powers the car and the fuel cell just tops it up? So it really is like the Volt/Ampera other than the fuel to power it is barely available?


    And on the subject of this new car of yours, where's the pics?
     
  9. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,309
    3,586
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    wow cool Troy I have not even rented a Volt yet and you got an H2 FCV already.

    Mark Twain once said, "everyone complains about the weasther, but nobody does anything about it."
    Well, you're doing something.
     
    #9 wjtracy, Sep 11, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2014