Hyundai Introduces Initium Concept Affirms Hydrogen Vehicle Development Commitment

Hyundai Initium. (Doc. Hyundai Motor Group)

JAKARTA - Recently, Hyundai launched the concept of a fuel cell car (FCEV) called Initium in the Clearly Committed held at the Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang, South Korea.

According to the manufacturer, Initium comes from Latin which is defined as the 'first start' or 'first'. It also represents a brand as a pioneer of hydrogen energy and is committed to developing its ecosystem.

"We are dedicated to pioneering a future where hydrogen is used by everyone, in every way, and everywhere," said Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO Jaehoon Chang, quoted on the manufacturer's official website, Friday, November 1.

The FCEV car concept also marks Hyundai's latest design language known as the 'Art of Steel', interpreted as realizing the character of HTWO, a division in the company's development from Korea.

With Initium, we created a design that looks more like a sturdy and secure SUV, reflecting our dedication to customers through customer-centric designs, said Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design, SangYup Lee.

This car has graphics inspired by the + sign as part of the illumination characteristic of the concept, thus creating a special character of Initium.

Initium is designed firmly, combining the functionality of urban life with outdoor activity capabilities. The car has a 21-inch rim with a roof rack on the roof that is multifunctional.

The manufacturer with the 'H' lopsided logo also designed more aerodynamic wheels to reduce the effect of barriers wrapped with more rencah rolling resistance tires.

According to Hyundai, Initium is developed by focusing on three aspects, namely driving range and improving performance, interior and large baggage areas, and advanced comfort and safety features.

Then, the concept is also equipped with a large hydrogen fuel tank to maximize its reach so as to increase the value of the FCEV. Thus, the manufacturer targets Initium to have a range of more than 650 km in a full tank state.

Initium is claimed to offer impressive acceleration with smooth overtaking capabilities. In its development, the company has increased the output of piles and increased battery capacity, resulting in an output of up to 150 kW of electric motors.

The company also gives it a feature that can solve the problem of FCEV vehicle owners regarding infrastructure. With this, users can easily plan optimal routes, find charging stations along the way without having to access separate apps or make phone calls.

The unique thing about the car is that it is equipped with the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature, has the ability to supply electricity that can connect to a house stop contact of 220V.

Initium is planned to appear at the Los Angeles Auto Show and Auto Guangzhou this month and is expected to be present in production in the first half of 2025.