Hyundai Initium Concept is Look Forward at Brand’s Hydrogen Future

Hyundai is making a big bet on hydrogen, and the first product of that bet is the Initium. A hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), the concept is an SUV that provides us with our first look at the brand's upcoming green technology, as well as the design language it will in the future.

The vehicle's powertrain is based around a battery pack that a hydrogen fuel cell can charge. The battery then powers an electric motor that moves the vehicle. That means that the vehicle could theoretically combine the best of internal combustion mobility with the best of EV driving. The electric motors mean that the SUV will move silently and will not generate any local emissions, while the fuel cell means that it can be refilled in a matter of minutes, just like a gas-powered vehicle.

Better still, it can simply be plugged in and charged like a regular EV, meaning it isn’t dependent on hydrogen fuelling stations, which continue to be quite hard to find, and are one of the major hurdles holding back the hydrogen mobility sector today. The ability to charge the vehicle also means that owners could use the Initium to power their houses in a blackout, thanks to available vehicle-to-infrastructure charging capabilities.

In all, Hyundai estimates that the Initium will be able to travel up to 650 km when its batteries and its hydrogen fuel tanks are full. The automaker adds that it has managed to increase the output of the fuel cell stack, meaning that it can now power motors that generate up to 150 kW (201 horsepower). Thanks to an embedded app, the vehicle will plan routes for owners that take into account the vehicle’s charging needs, and make it easier to find hydrogen fuelling stations.

The Initium is also a look forward at what Hyundai’s hydrogen-powered vehicles will look like. The rugged SUV-coupe shape is complemented by the large roof rack and 21-inch aero-optimized wheels. Most importantly, the four-pane fog lights at the front of the vehicle (which Hyundai describe as a +) will be a hallmark of all the brand’s hydrogen vehicles for the foreseeable future. And it really intends to use the design cue.

While the Initium is just a concept, a production vehicle based on it will be unveiled in the first half of 2025, says Hyundai. Earlier this year, Hyundai Motor Group (the larger corporation that owns both the Hyundai and Kia brands, among others) announced a four-pronged plan to make hydrogen mobility a reality. Passenger vehicles are just one prong of the plan that includes producing hydrogen and developing an ecosystem for commercial vehicles, and generators for buildings.

Those interested in seeing the Initium Concept will be able to observe it in person at the Los Angeles Auto Show and Auto Guanzhou in November.