Hyundai to supply hydrogen Tucson ix to Copenhagen

Hyundai Motor said Tuesday that it will provide its hydrogen fuel cell electric car Tucson ix to the city of Copenhagen next year with the aim of joining Denmark’s initiative for environmentally friendly transportation.

Fifteen Tucson ix sport utility vehicles will be leased for official use by the Danish city government in the first half of next year, following a memorandum of understanding for a pilot program that was signed in May last year.

While Hyundai has recently joined hands with European countries to promote the wider use of its emission-free vehicle, Copenhagen is the first to adopt the Tucson ix for official use.

A company spokesperson, however, declined to comment on the prices for the provision.

Hyundai said it has been test-running four of the Tucson ix cars in Scandinavian countries such as Denmark and Norway since November and recently completed a feasibility test to help its vehicles adapt to the local climate and road conditions.

“It will be a good opportunity for Hyundai to promote its futuristic car technology in Denmark where diverse eco-friendly policies such as charging facilities for electric vehicles and tax benefits are carried out,” said a Hyundai spokesperson.

The city government of Copenhagen has ceased to purchase official cars running on internal combustion engines as of 2011. The city government plans to replace 85 percent of its official cars with emission free cars such as hydrogen fuel cell or electric cars by 2015.

The Tucson ix is set to be recognized as the world’s most commercially viable hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, industry watchers forecast. Its price is likely to range between 90 million won ($80,000) and 100 million won, which is about half the price of Mercedes-Benz’s hydrogen-powered car.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)