Fleets to benefit from Arval’s ix35 fuel cell tests
Leasing company Arval UK has been given exclusive insight into Hyundai’s hydrogen-powered ix35 fuel cell vehicle.
Arval UK took delivery of the water-emitting vehicle in February and has put it through tests to assess its real-world performance, benefits and practicalities, as part of the company’s New Vehicle Technology trials. This information is then passed on to Arval customers to aid their fleet decision making process.
The ix35 fuel cell vehicle can accelerate to 62mph in 12.5 seconds before topping out at 99mph with nothing but pure water coming out the tailpipe.
However, one major advantage it has over electric vehicles is that its 369-mile maximum range can be replenished in just three minutes, while EVs require several hours.
Forefront
Elliott Woodhead, Director of Partnerships and SME at Arval, complimented the vehicle’s drive: “Having driven the ix35 the biggest compliment I can pay Hyundai is to say that the vehicle drove as well as any other vehicle in its class and it was not obvious that this was a different drive train.
“Hyundai is very clearly at the forefront of developments in fuel cell technology and this shows clearly through the ix35.
“It’s crucial that we test the latest vehicles entering the market. This first-hand insight allows us to provide the best and most practical advice to meet the needs of our customers. We are grateful to Hyundai for giving us early access to this exciting new technology.”
Production has been capped to 1,000 units a year so far, but that will be ramped up to 10,000 from 2015.