Queensland takes delivery of five Hyundai Nexos

THE Queensland state government has taken delivery of five new Hyundai Nexo fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), neatly complementing the batch of 20 recently taken on by the ACT government.

Launched on Saturday, the new green fleet is designed to “drive awareness” of hydrogen-powered vehicles and have been decked out in a unique ‘indigenous-inspired’ livery featuring a hydrogen nucleus and the Brisbane River.

Using a new Brisbane hydrogen station as a base, the vibrant looking Nexos will be utilised in the same way as other government fleet vehicles and the eye-catching liveries designed to draw attention to the technology and sustainable motoring rather than advertise the state government.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) chief executive officer Jun Heo said the brand was proud to see the Nexos deployed into the Queensland government fleet, describing it as another step towards a clean motoring future.

“We congratulate the Queensland Government for its vision and advanced policy as the state moves toward a zero-emissions future with hydrogen as a key component,” he said.

“The zero-emissions Nexo is a cornerstone in our green vehicle line-up, and joins hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric models to underscore our leadership in eco-mobility and our commitment to developing sustainable motoring solutions.”

Unlike a traditional EV that relies on a battery pack to power the electric driveline, FCEVs like the Nexo feature a hydrogen fuel cell to generate power, while a small-capacity lithium-ion battery is fitted to store and redistribute excess energy.

In the Nexo’s case, the fuel cell provides power for a single electric motor developing 120kW of power and 395Nm.

The Nexo’s 666km effective range is governed by how much hydrogen is in its tank, similar to how an internal combustion engine vehicle operates.

According to Queensland Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni, the Nexo fleet trial “aims to accelerate the uptake of hydrogen technology” and support the state’s “push to position itself as a global hydrogen superpower”.

“It will demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of hydrogen for passenger vehicles and possibly lead the way for hydrogen’s roll-out to trucks, trains and marine applications,” he said.

“These head-turning fuel cell electric vehicles will be fuelled with home-grown Queensland hydrogen as they are tested in on-road conditions over the next three years.

“Leasing them as part of our trial of fuel cell electric vehicle technology highlights the fact that QFleet – the government’s fleet manager – continues to drive Queensland’s transition to cleaner and greener transport options.

“This, in turn, helps grow our local hydrogen supply chain and that means more jobs for Queenslanders in this emerging sector.

Minister de Brenni added that the state government had set a target of zero net emissions by 2050 with the transition to “low and zero-emission electric vehicles” being a significant component of that mission.