Fraunhofer ISE Adds Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell Vehicle to its Research Fleet of Fuel Cell Cars

The transformation of the energy system relies on a large share of fluctuating renewable energy sources and thus requires hydrogen for long-term storage and as a fuel in the mobility sector. In 2012, Fraunhofer ISE erected a solar hydrogen filling station at the institute to demonstrate future, zero-emission mobility based on green hydrogen produced on location using solar energy and water. Over the past four years, the Fraunhofer scientists have been using three Daimler B-Class F-Cell Vehicles to test fuel cell mobility. Now with the newly acquired Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell passenger car, Fraunhofer ISE expands its zero-emission research fleet.

© Fraunhofer ISE
Prof. Eicke Weber, Institute Director at Fraunhofer ISE, stands in front of the newly acquired Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell Vehicle on location at ISE’s solar hydrogen filling station.
© Fraunhofer ISE
Dr. Christopher Hebling, Division Director of Hydrogen Technologies at Fraunhofer ISE, refuels the newly acquired Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell Vehicle.
© Fraunhofer ISE
The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell passenger car parked at Fraunhofer ISE’s solar hydrogen filling station.

A fuel cell in the vehicle converts hydrogen into electricity which runs an electric motor. Only water vapor is emitted from the exhaust pipe. As in a battery-electric vehicle, the motor operates quietly and gearshift pauses do not occur. The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell Vehicle has a very long driving range of up to 594 km according to the European driving cycle NEFZ and the tank can be fully refueled in three minutes. This demonstrates that electric-drive mobility is also possible over long distances.

At Fraunhofer ISE, the newly acquired vehicle will be used to investigate the performance of this future-oriented technology for regular, everyday use on the roads. As new-generation vehicle, the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell passenger car shall provide information about reliability, performance and consumer behavior in comparison, for example, to the F-Cell vehicles which have been available at ISE up to now.

Last modified: