The world's fastest growing car manufacturer has announced that it is committing itself to fuel cell technology rather than hybrid vehicles.

Hyundai outlined its plans as it welcomed the first journalists to its new $90 million eco-technology research institute housing 200 researchers in its home country of South Korea.

Hyundai fuel cell principle research engineer, B K Ahn explained that though hybrid technology combining internal combustion engines and electric motors is currently the most affordable green private transport technology, they still burned fossil fuels.

"Hybrids still use gasoline, so we don't see a future for them for reasons of exhaust emissions, global warming and depletion of crude oil supplies," he told the Manawatu Standard.

Focusing on the fuel cell vehicle (FCV) market, Mr Ahn explained that Hyundai plans to invest in what it considers the future of transport.

"By 2025 FCVs will have a 58 per cent market share with 50 million sales and by the 2040s this will go to a 90 per cent share with 80 million vehicle sales," he forecast. "That's reasonable timing."

The fuel cell engineer also outlined the "well to wheel" efficiency benefits of fuel cells, currently capable of a 36 per cent rating, with a target of 42 per cent. Petrol engines typically attain around 16 per cent, diesels 20 per cent and hybrids around 26 per cent.

Platinum catalysts are used in fuel cell technology, which generates power by reacting a hydrogen fuel with oxygen in the air.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd