Starting in Lugano, the rally passed though demanding Alpine countryside before reaching Monaco seven hours later. With a consumption of 5.2 kg hydrogen fuel, the Tucson FCEV used almost two kg less hydrogen for the 410-km rally distance than the first placed vehicle, the Opel Zafira. Seventeen fuel cell, hybrid and electric-powered vehicles took part in the rally. "This is the first time that almost all major car manufacturers have entered in such a competition; we could see Hyundai competing versus DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, Fiat, Michelin and so on - we are happy to see that sustainable mobility is on everyone's agenda," Christian Tornatore, race director of the Rallye-Monte-Carlo Fuel Cell and Hybrids 2005 and general director of the Automobile Club Monaco, said.

Speaking from Monaco, Hyundai executive vice-president Dr Joon Chul Park welcomed the result: "This is a major achievement and a fine demonstration that Hyundai is competitive in this important development segment.

"As a young company, with a dynamic, highly-qualified and motivated fuel cell research team, we can feel confident that we are well placed for future developments."

At the 'EVS 21 - Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition' in Monaco Hyundai Motor Company presented advanced FCEV technology vehicles as part of the company's global roadmap for a future sustainable mobility.

Hyundai was one of the pioneers in fuel cell vehicle technology, beginning to work in the mid-1990s, producing its first functional FCEV on the basis of the Santa Fe in 2000. Currently some 30 to 40 Tucson FCEVs are being built for further development, refinement and testing in both the United States and Korea.

Fuel cell development is the long-term aspect of Hyundai's research programme, which also includes advanced interim technologies such as hybrid and CNG drive systems. Hybrid vehicles are currently undergoing pre-production fleet testing in Korea and the US.

Hyundai development policy of concentrating on compressed hydrogen as a fuel delivers many advantages, among them simplicity and lack of cumbersome components. In this context the success of the Tucson FCEV can be seen as underlining the benefits of this system.

Asked when the average driver could expect to buy a Hyundai Fuel Cell Vehicle, Dr Park said that 2010 to 2012 would be realistic.

Car models competing in the First Rallye Monte Carlo Fuel Cell and Hybrid 2005: Fiat - Seicento (FCEV); Hyundai - Tucson (FCEV); Mercedes - A Class (FCEV); Michelin - Hy-Light (FCEV); Opel - Zafira (FCEV); Esoro - H31 (Hybrid); Tanesini/Selene - Cartanfruit (Hybrid); Toyota - Prius (Hybrid), with nine entries; and Volkswagen - New Beetle (Hybrid).

Tucson FCEV specifications
Vehicle weight: 1,765 kg; range 300 km; fuel: hydrogen (350 bar); fuel tank: 152 litres (3.5 kg); emission: water vapour only; operating pressure: ambient (1 bar); voltage: 250-460 volts DC; motor: three-phase AC/80 kW; max. speed: 150 km/h; fuel cell power: 80 kW; battery type: LiPB 152V.

How electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles work
The only propulsion systems, electric, hybrid or fuel cell, to be marketed at present are in electric and hybrid vehicles. Their common point: all have an electric engine, and are thus silent and pollution free.

Electric vehicles (VE) are the ones best mastered, with an electric engine, electronics and batteries. Production costs vary according to the battery technology, but the VE concept is an encouragement to adopt the principle of hired batteries, more convenient for the user.

They can be charged through a traditional power point. New generation batteries will ensure that vehicles with a range of over 300 km will be marketed in the near future. Use: in town and its periphery. Consumption: 20 kwh/100km, as little as a home water heater.

Advantages: great comfort and pleasant driving, almost totally silent. The electric engine can run up to one million km without causing atmospheric pollution or spilling oil.

Hybrid heat/electric vehicles have both an electric and a heat engine. The latter gives extra power when required and recharges batteries automatically. Hybrid vehicles have the power and range of a normal vehicle, but pollute much less. Engine selection is controlled electronically, and the heat engine can be used in its optimal output range.

Use: in town and on the motorway. Consumption: 20 to 40 per cent less than a heat-engine vehicle. Advantages: performance, reduced pollution and CO2 emissions.

Electric vehicles with fuel cell (FC) provide the range lacking in the electric vehicle by generating electricity on board. A reverse electrolysis reaction uses the cell's hydrogen and oxygen from the air to produce electric energy for the electric engine.

Extra batteries are not necessary. The reaction with hydrogen is as follows: H2+1/2O2 -> H2O+electric energy + heat. Part of the problem is storing the hydrogen atoms - either in direct form - gaseous hydrogen under pressure (300 bars), or fluid at a very low temperature - or in indirect form, imprisoned into another molecule to be transformed, such as methanol.

Another consideration is the cost of FCs that often use precious metals as catalysts. Use: in town and on the motorway. Consumption: hydrogen or methanol (obtained from natural gas). Advantages: autonomy, no pollution emitted if hydrogen is stored on board.

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