LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEADIN

Hyundai has unveiled its new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

It will be launched next year and will be able to drive almost 600 kilometres between pick ups.

STORYLINE

Taking centre stage... the latest hydrogen fuel cell vehicle from South Korea's largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co.

The company's second-generation fuel-cell SUV will be launched early next year. Hyundai says the upcoming vehicle will travel 40 percent further than its first generation fuel cell SUV, the Tucson ix FCEV, launched in 2013:

"The major selling point of our product, the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is its mileage on a single charge," says Director for Korea marketing, Ryu Chang Sung.

"The first generation FCEV, TUCSON FCEV could drive 415 kilometres after a single charge. Our next generation FCEV, expected to be launched soon, shows a remarkable improvement in its driving distance. It could run 580 kilometres on a single charge, and further advancement is underway for it to run more than 800 kilometres by the European standards."

Fuel cell cars are emission-free like pure electric cars. However they can be refuelled in two to three minutes unlike electric vehicles which can take several hours to fully recharge.

However a lack of hydrogen fuelling stations is seen as an obstacle for mass adoption. Toyota, Honda and General Motors are also investing heavily in fuel cell technology but fuel cell cars are gaining less traction than electric vehicles, which can find charging stations more easily.

South Korea plans to increase the number of hydrogen fuelling stations from 16 stations this year to 100 stations by 2020 to sharply raise sales of fuel cell vehicles.

The country is aiming to have 10,000 fuel cell vehicles on its roads by 2020 as part of its plans to tackle air pollution, its environmental ministry said in March. That would be a jump from just 121 fuel cell cars in 2016. Hyundai says it plans to work closely with the government.

"The government had made up a plan to supply 10,000 FCEVs by 2020, and we will closely collaborate with the government to resolve issues such as the charging infrastructure or promoting awareness of the product. We will make our best efforts to accomplish the government-private provision plan via mutual cooperation," says Sung.

Hyundai Motor Co. also plans to catch up in the eco-friendly car race with longer driving range electric vehicles.

It plans to launch an electric vehicle with a driving range of 500 kilometres after 2021. Before the summer of next year, it plans to release a small electric sports utility vehicle with a driving range of 390 kilometres per charge. In 2021, its luxury brand Genesis will unveil an electric vehicle model as well.

Seoul - 17 August 2017

1. Wide of start of launch ceremony

2. Unveiling of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

3. Various of the vehicle on display

4. Various of Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing, on stage

5. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing:

"The major selling point of our product, the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is its mileage on a single charge. The first generation FCEV, TUCSON FCEV could drive 415 kilometres after a single charge. Our next generation FCEV, expected to be launched soon, shows a remarkable improvement in its driving distance. It could run 580 kilometres on a single charge, and further advancement is underway for it to run more than 800 kilometres by the European standards."

6. Men standing around a white Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

7. Close of vehicle charging

8. Mid of inner-engine/ gears on display

9. Close of Hydrogen Tank

10. Mid tilt down of the Hydrogen Tank and the High Voltage Battery System

11. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing:

"We are planning to introduce our next generation FCEV in the first and the fourth quarter next year. The government had made up a plan to supply 10,000 FCEVs by 2020, and we will closely collaborate with the government to resolve issues such as the charging infrastructure or promoting awareness of the product. We will make our best efforts to accomplish the government-private provision plan via mutual cooperation."

12. Close of miniature FCEV car model

13. An employee demonstrating how it works

14. Various of the miniature vehicle moving

15. Mid of two Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

16. Various of vehicles charging

17. Various of vehicles parked outside Fuel Cell Electric House

LEADIN

Hyundai has unveiled its new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

It will be launched next year and will be able to drive almost 600 kilometres between pick ups.

STORYLINE

Taking centre stage... the latest hydrogen fuel cell vehicle from South Korea's largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co.

The company's second-generation fuel-cell SUV will be launched early next year. Hyundai says the upcoming vehicle will travel 40 percent further than its first generation fuel cell SUV, the Tucson ix FCEV, launched in 2013:

"The major selling point of our product, the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is its mileage on a single charge," says Director for Korea marketing, Ryu Chang Sung.

"The first generation FCEV, TUCSON FCEV could drive 415 kilometres after a single charge. Our next generation FCEV, expected to be launched soon, shows a remarkable improvement in its driving distance. It could run 580 kilometres on a single charge, and further advancement is underway for it to run more than 800 kilometres by the European standards."

Fuel cell cars are emission-free like pure electric cars. However they can be refuelled in two to three minutes unlike electric vehicles which can take several hours to fully recharge.

However a lack of hydrogen fuelling stations is seen as an obstacle for mass adoption. Toyota, Honda and General Motors are also investing heavily in fuel cell technology but fuel cell cars are gaining less traction than electric vehicles, which can find charging stations more easily.

South Korea plans to increase the number of hydrogen fuelling stations from 16 stations this year to 100 stations by 2020 to sharply raise sales of fuel cell vehicles.

The country is aiming to have 10,000 fuel cell vehicles on its roads by 2020 as part of its plans to tackle air pollution, its environmental ministry said in March. That would be a jump from just 121 fuel cell cars in 2016. Hyundai says it plans to work closely with the government.

"The government had made up a plan to supply 10,000 FCEVs by 2020, and we will closely collaborate with the government to resolve issues such as the charging infrastructure or promoting awareness of the product. We will make our best efforts to accomplish the government-private provision plan via mutual cooperation," says Sung.

Hyundai Motor Co. also plans to catch up in the eco-friendly car race with longer driving range electric vehicles.

It plans to launch an electric vehicle with a driving range of 500 kilometres after 2021. Before the summer of next year, it plans to release a small electric sports utility vehicle with a driving range of 390 kilometres per charge. In 2021, its luxury brand Genesis will unveil an electric vehicle model as well.

Seoul - 17 August 2017

1. Wide of start of launch ceremony

2. Unveiling of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

3. Various of the vehicle on display

4. Various of Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing, on stage

5. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing:

"The major selling point of our product, the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is its mileage on a single charge. The first generation FCEV, TUCSON FCEV could drive 415 kilometres after a single charge. Our next generation FCEV, expected to be launched soon, shows a remarkable improvement in its driving distance. It could run 580 kilometres on a single charge, and further advancement is underway for it to run more than 800 kilometres by the European standards."

6. Men standing around a white Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

7. Close of vehicle charging

8. Mid of inner-engine/ gears on display

9. Close of Hydrogen Tank

10. Mid tilt down of the Hydrogen Tank and the High Voltage Battery System

11. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing:

"We are planning to introduce our next generation FCEV in the first and the fourth quarter next year. The government had made up a plan to supply 10,000 FCEVs by 2020, and we will closely collaborate with the government to resolve issues such as the charging infrastructure or promoting awareness of the product. We will make our best efforts to accomplish the government-private provision plan via mutual cooperation."

12. Close of miniature FCEV car model

13. An employee demonstrating how it works

14. Various of the miniature vehicle moving

15. Mid of two Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

16. Various of vehicles charging

17. Various of vehicles parked outside Fuel Cell Electric House

LEADIN

Hyundai has unveiled its new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

It will be launched next year and will be able to drive almost 600 kilometres between pick ups.

STORYLINE

Taking centre stage... the latest hydrogen fuel cell vehicle from South Korea's largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co.

The company's second-generation fuel-cell SUV will be launched early next year. Hyundai says the upcoming vehicle will travel 40 percent further than its first generation fuel cell SUV, the Tucson ix FCEV, launched in 2013:

"The major selling point of our product, the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is its mileage on a single charge," says Director for Korea marketing, Ryu Chang Sung.

"The first generation FCEV, TUCSON FCEV could drive 415 kilometres after a single charge. Our next generation FCEV, expected to be launched soon, shows a remarkable improvement in its driving distance. It could run 580 kilometres on a single charge, and further advancement is underway for it to run more than 800 kilometres by the European standards."

Fuel cell cars are emission-free like pure electric cars. However they can be refuelled in two to three minutes unlike electric vehicles which can take several hours to fully recharge.

However a lack of hydrogen fuelling stations is seen as an obstacle for mass adoption. Toyota, Honda and General Motors are also investing heavily in fuel cell technology but fuel cell cars are gaining less traction than electric vehicles, which can find charging stations more easily.

South Korea plans to increase the number of hydrogen fuelling stations from 16 stations this year to 100 stations by 2020 to sharply raise sales of fuel cell vehicles.

The country is aiming to have 10,000 fuel cell vehicles on its roads by 2020 as part of its plans to tackle air pollution, its environmental ministry said in March. That would be a jump from just 121 fuel cell cars in 2016. Hyundai says it plans to work closely with the government.

"The government had made up a plan to supply 10,000 FCEVs by 2020, and we will closely collaborate with the government to resolve issues such as the charging infrastructure or promoting awareness of the product. We will make our best efforts to accomplish the government-private provision plan via mutual cooperation," says Sung.

Hyundai Motor Co. also plans to catch up in the eco-friendly car race with longer driving range electric vehicles.

It plans to launch an electric vehicle with a driving range of 500 kilometres after 2021. Before the summer of next year, it plans to release a small electric sports utility vehicle with a driving range of 390 kilometres per charge. In 2021, its luxury brand Genesis will unveil an electric vehicle model as well.

Seoul - 17 August 2017

1. Wide of start of launch ceremony

2. Unveiling of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

3. Various of the vehicle on display

4. Various of Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing, on stage

5. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing:

"The major selling point of our product, the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is its mileage on a single charge. The first generation FCEV, TUCSON FCEV could drive 415 kilometres after a single charge. Our next generation FCEV, expected to be launched soon, shows a remarkable improvement in its driving distance. It could run 580 kilometres on a single charge, and further advancement is underway for it to run more than 800 kilometres by the European standards."

6. Men standing around a white Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

7. Close of vehicle charging

8. Mid of inner-engine/ gears on display

9. Close of Hydrogen Tank

10. Mid tilt down of the Hydrogen Tank and the High Voltage Battery System

11. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing:

"We are planning to introduce our next generation FCEV in the first and the fourth quarter next year. The government had made up a plan to supply 10,000 FCEVs by 2020, and we will closely collaborate with the government to resolve issues such as the charging infrastructure or promoting awareness of the product. We will make our best efforts to accomplish the government-private provision plan via mutual cooperation."

12. Close of miniature FCEV car model

13. An employee demonstrating how it works

14. Various of the miniature vehicle moving

15. Mid of two Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

16. Various of vehicles charging

17. Various of vehicles parked outside Fuel Cell Electric House