Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Getting Range Increase

Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell (Credit: Hyundai)

Everyone’s talking about electric cars these days, but Hyundai’s still pressing on with hydrogen fuel cells. In the latest development, the company’s Tucson Fuel Cell is getting a range increase, making it more practical.

According to EPA estimates, the current version of the crossover can go 265 miles on a full tank of hydrogen. That’s enough for a 50 MPGe rating. When the next-gen Tucson Fuel Cell arrives in a year, it will be able to go 348 miles on a single tank of fuel, says Hyundai. That’s about 30 percent further, which is impressive.

There’s no word if the new crossover will cost more. Right now, for $499 a month, people can lease the vehicle, and that includes the cost of unlimited hydrogen.

Just as important, this development makes the Hyundai competitive with the Honda Clarity and Toyota Mirai, which both can go over 300 miles on a single tank. This is huge news, for the few people in California who get to lease these vehicles. Maybe one day the rest of us will enjoy the experience of driving a fuel cell car day after day, but for now that privilege seems reserved for those who live in Disneyland’s backyard.