Hydrogen cars turn heads at consumer electronics show

LAS VEGAS: Hydrogen powered cars are making their presence felt here with auto majors Toyota and Hyundai showcasing their products at the global consumer electronics and technology trade show.

While Japanese car maker Toyota's Mirai, one of the first hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to be sold commercially, is turning the heads, South Korean firm Hyundai is also attracting attention at the International CES with the hydrogen powered version of its Sports Utility Vehicle Tucson.

Toyota had last month launched the Mirai in four cities in Japan, while it will start selling the car in the US and Europe in the fourth quarter of 2015.

According to the company, the Mirai uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which features both fuel cell technology and hybrid technology that is more energy efficient than internal combustion engines and emits no CO2 or substances of concern (SOCs) when driven. It also offers drivers the same level of convenience as that of petrol engine vehicles.

Hyundai is also promoting its fuel cell SUV Tucson that can deliver a range of 265 miles per tank of capacity 144 litres with a maximum speed of 100 miles per hour (mph). It can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 12.5 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz too showcased its concept car F015 Luxury in Motion which has a provision of a fuel cell plug-in hybrid drive system could hit up to 1,100 kilometres of zero-emission driving.

Even though car makers are showing interest in hydrogen electric cars, lesser number of refuelling stations remain a concern for faster growth of this segment. However, there are a few of such stations at California, some more are likely to come up in New York, New Jersey among others.