Audi Accelerates Fuel Cell Car Development

Volkswagen AG’s Audi unit will take the wraps off a new concept fuel cell vehicle later this year.

Audi aims to launch a pilot program by 2021 that would allow consumers to lease prototype fuel cell vehicles, Autocar reports. But it says the luxury brand isn’t expected to launch fuel cell-powered production vehicles until at least 2025.

The new model will use sixth-generation technology, building on Audi’s 2016 H-tron Quattro concept. In addition to storing energy from the hydrogen fuel cells, the H-tron’s lithium-ion battery could be charged separately to help extend driving range and provide a power boost.

The new Audi concept also will integrate technology from Hyundai Motor Co. under a cross-licensing agreement VW and Hyundai signed last year. Audi is serving as the lead for VW Group on the program.

Earlier this year, Audi CEO Bram Schot said the carmaker would make hydrogen fuel cell vehicles a priority. As part of the plan, he vowed to commit more money, people, capacity and “confidence” to developing and commercializing the technology.

Audi’s renewed focus on fuel cell cars stems in part over concerns about performance limitations of pure electric vehicles and the scarcity of materials used to make lithium-ion batteries.

Fuel cell vehicles use much smaller batteries than EVs, and they offer driving ranges and refueling times comparable to traditional vehicles. But fuel cell vehicles currently cost much more than EVs, and the build-out of hydrogen infrastructures is in the very early stages.