Hyundai Quoted $113,000 to Replace Aging Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles could become a fantastic alternative to pure battery electric vehicles, as they can be refueled in minutes and offer the same zero-emissions driving benefits that electric vehicles bring. At the same time, they’re exceedingly rare and can only be refueled in California in the U.S., making them unobtainable for most.

That rarity extends to other countries, and it turns out that it makes repairs shockingly expensive. A German man bought a Hyundai ix35 FCEV for around $55,000 and drove it for several years before a six-figure fuel cell replacement cost took it off the road.

AutoBild reported that Till Westberg’s Hyundai experienced an error and would not drive. Hyundai quoted $113,000 to repair the car, of which only around 1,000 were built. This sort of repair will likely always be expensive, but things get out of hand when there are so few replacement parts around. It’s also worth noting that technology has progressed rapidly since this Hyundai’s release, so the new components being manufactured today don’t translate.

There are currently two FCEVs on sale in California, including the Hyundai Nexo and Toyota Mirai. While it’s unclear when or if hydrogen will expand in availability around the country, the technology could play a vital role in helping us reach a zero-emissions future. Electric vehicles alone likely won’t be the answer, as battery production and charging station construction struggle to keep pace with demand.

[Image: Hyundai Europe]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/hyundai-quoted-113-000-to-replace-aging-hydrogen-fuel-cell-44502379?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full