A HYDROGEN battery-powered car has arrived in Spain for the first time – an SUV which can run for 666 kilometres before it needs charging, a process which takes just five minutes.
The Hyundai Nexo is a zero-emissions vehicle that combines 'innovative technology with futuristic design and incredible autonomy', the latter provided by 'the latest driver-assistance devices', according to the manufacturer.
It goes from nought to sixty, literally – from a standstill to 96 kilometres per hour (60mph) – in 9.5 seconds and a maximum of 161 horse-power, 40 kW (kilowatt) batteries and a hydrogen fuel battery of 95 kW.
The NEXO is the upgraded version of the Hyundai Tucson FCEV, which has 170 kilometres' less gas in it once the fuel battery is charged.
Among its driver-assistance features are a blind-spot view monitor (BVM), remote-controlled parking, and a speed-adjustment system which does not allow it to be driven any faster than the speed limit for the road it is on at the time, automatically detecting the limit as it travels.
The Hyundai NEXO was initially due for launch in Spain early this year, but is finally now available from dealerships nationwide subject to pre-order.
Only two other models besides the NEXO and its predecessor use hydrogen batteries – the Toyota Mirai, which runs for 550 kilometres before it needs to be recharged, and the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, which runs for 700 kilometres.
But the NEXO is the only one to reach Spanish forecourts so far.
