Canada's First Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Coming to Vancouver

The first hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle will be available to Canadians beginning in early 2015 only in the Vancouver area.

The Hyundai Auto Canada Corporation made the announcement on Wednesday along with a dedicated website for consumers. The Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) will be available in Canada on a three year lease beginning in 2015.

The Hyundai Tucson to be introduced in Canada (Photo Credit: Hyundai)

"We firmly believe that Hyundai has already surpassed the tipping point in fuel cell technology development and that it's ready to be driven by customers interested in pioneering a zero-emissions automotive future," said Don Romano, President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. "The challenge facing this technology has always been characterized by a chicken-and-egg scenario, where car companies won't bring fuel cell vehicles to market without an infrastructure and there is no need for a refueling industry without customers. It's time to move beyond simply talking about the opportunity. Hyundai was the first to mass-produce fuel cell electric vehicles and will be the first to bring them to Canadian customers. We're planting the seed for a new segment of the industry."

The Hyundai Tucson to be introduced in Canada (Photo Credit: Hyundai)

In 2013 Hyundai became the first ever auto maker to mass produce fuel cell vehicles. The Tucson is based on the traditional gasoline powered vehicle cross over but costs less. The vehicle takes less than five minutes to refuel and can go an estimated 426 kilometres on a full tank.

The lease for the vehicle will be $599 per month for a select group of people through an exclusive opportunity. The lease includes maintenance and unlimited hydrogen refueling. In addition, Tucson FCEV owners will enjoy an "At Your Service" valet program. The company is taking applications from customers exclusively through a dedicated website at www.HyundaiHydrogen.ca.

The Hyundai Tucson FCEV is currently available to customers in a number of countries around the world, including the U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Netherland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and South Korea.