Initium, this is something for anyone who has had Latin: The word means beginning and wants to emphasize that Hyundai is a pioneer in the field of fuel cell vehicles. Hyundai unveiled the Initium concept vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show and the Auto Guangzhou Auto Show in November.
The presented hydrogen-powered Initium Concept is a preview of a new production vehicle, which Hyundai says the Korean manufacturer will introduce in the first half of 2025. We assume that this could be the successor to the Nexo model. With this concept vehicle, Hyundai presents the new Art of Steel design language, which is apparently the native language of HTWO, Hyundai's hydrogen division. As is known, the concern has never abandoned hydrogen as a source of energy for cars, although the Hyundai Nexo and Toyota Mirai are practically the only hydrogen cars on the market.
The car looks quite angular and has the trademark pixel shape. The black anti-scratch strips on the lower edge of the body evoke off-road associations, just like in the press photos. 21-inch wheels and a roof rack are also available. Nevertheless, the SUV should of course also be suitable for driving around town. According to the manufacturer, when developing Initium, they focused on long range and improved handling, spacious interior and trunk, as well as comfort and safety systems.
Due to the large hydrogen tanks, the study is said to provide a range of more than 650 kilometers, which is not more than the Hyundai Nexo can do. Aerodynamically optimized wheels reduce air and rolling resistance. The improved fuel cell technology has also increased the power output, so that a system power of up to 150 kW is now possible. The storage capacity in the backup battery has also been improved.
Initium also offers route planning developed specifically for hydrogen vehicles. With it, you can also check the availability and status of the charging station and the waiting time in real time. In addition, the electricity produced by the fuel cells can be used to charge external devices thanks to the V2L (vehicle-to-load) function. For greater safety in the event of an accident, the vehicle has a special body structure at the front as well as reinforced side panels and nine airbags.
