Kia Affirms 2020 Fuel Cell Target

Kia Motors Corp. is on track to launch its first fuel cell vehicle by 2020.

The unspecified Kia model will use the next-generation fuel cell technology that parent Hyundai Motor Co. plans to launch next year in a new crossover vehicle. Introductions for the two vehicles will be staggered to allow both to be fully tested without stretching the companies' resources, Lee Ki-sang, senior vice president of Hyundai-Kia’s Eco Technology Center, tells Automotive News.

The two-year delay also will help give Kia time to benefit from further improvements in fuel cell technologies and cost reductions expected from economies of scale. Hyundai is a higher-end brand than Kia and thus is better positioned to market pricey early fuel cell models, Lee notes.

Hyundai launched the current fuel cell variant of its Tucson crossover in 2013. The carmaker previewed the second-generation model with the FE Fuel Cell Concept (pictured) last month at the Geneva auto show. The new fuel cell system is expected to be 20% lighter, 10% more efficient and 30% less expensive than the Tucson’s system.

The new fuel cell vehicles are part of Hyundai-Kia’s plan to launch 28 “green” models by 2020. In addition to the two fuel-cell vehicles, the total includes 10 hybrids, eight plug-in hybrids and eight full electric cars and crossovers, which will be evenly split between the two brands. Lee says 11 of those models already have been launched.