Hyundai Plans U.S. Debut for Fuel-Cell Vehicle in 2014

Hyundai Motor Co. says it will begin leasing a small number of fuel cell-powered Tucson crossover vehicles in California next spring.

The surprising early rollout will bring Hyundai's hydrogen-fueled vehicle to market at least a year ahead of similar demonstration programs planned by other carmakers that include Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and Toyota.

Consumers who sign up for a three-year lease for one of the special Tucsons will pay a deposit of $2,999 and $499 per month. The price includes the unlimited hydrogen refueling.

Hyundai will initially offer the hydrogen-fueled crossovers through three dealers in southern California. Consumers in metro Los Angeles also will be able to rent one of the vehicles for a few days at a time through Enterprise Rent-A-Car facilities in the area.

The vehicles have a driving range of about 300 miles and can be refueled in less than 10 minutes, according to Hyundai. The company notes that its vehicle matches the zero emissions, quiet operation and instant torque of a battery-powered electric, but without the short range, lengthy recharging and diminished cold-weather performance of an EV.

Hyundai will produce the fuel cell models at the factory in Ulsan, Korea, that makes the piston-powered Tucson. The company plans to build 1,000 of the hydrogen-powered crossovers over the next three years.