Hydrogen

The Hopium Māchina – an ultra-luxury hydrogen-electric concept – has been launched by 29-year-old French racing driver Olivier Lombard. Hydrogen vehicles use a fuel cell to generate electricity and power a motor. While they are substantially rarer than traditional electric cars powered by lithium-ion batteries, notable examples include the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo. However, the Hydrogen Motive Company, which Lombard founded earlier this year, believes it can become a volume player.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is developing an SUV based on a hydrogen fuel cell platform, according to an announcement from the UK government. The hydrogen SUV program, known as Project ZEUS, is part of a £73.5 million (AU$132.2M) UK government initiative to develop low emission vehicles. Project ZEUS stands for 'zero and low-emissions vehicles in urban society'.

Toyota has announced it will partner with commercial vehicle-builder Hino to develop a hydrogen-fuel-cell truck as part of a joint initiative to reduce emissions. Built on the foundations of a Hino Profia, the companies say they will optimise the truck’s chassis to package hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell technology. The result will be a claimed 600km of zero-emissions driving range.

The BMW i Hydrogen Next unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show is said to preview a production car coming around 2022. According to Car and Driver, the i Hydrogen Next has a driving range of between 490 and 595 kilometres. The car's hydrogen fuel tanks are reportedly located under the rear seat and in the centre tunnel, and can be refilled in around four minutes. It also features a fuel-cell stack jointly developed by BMW and Toyota as part of their co-operation agreement signed in 2013.

South Korea is seemingly set to require commercial vehicles in the country – including trucks and construction equipment – to use hydrogen fuel-cell drivetrains by 2035. The move is designed to counter “serious fine dust problems” in the country not helped by diesel emissions, according to The Korea Herald. The plan was apparently released by Transport Minister-nominee Choi Jeong-ho and Yoon Kwan-seok of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea.