South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai has announced plans to release a fuel cell-powered version of its Tucson sports utility vehicle by 2010.

The fuel cell Tucson, whose gas-powered brother is currently a 4x4 vehicle that sells for around £15,000, joins a number of fuel cell vehicles from other manufacturers that are in the making.

Toyota is currently developing a fuel cell car on the back of the success of its market leading petrol-electric hybrid Prius.

A recent US government report states that fuel cell cars will account for one per cent of the global market by 2010, rising to ten per cent by 2030.

Hyundai, which has been developing a fuel cell engine since 2002, claims that along with Honda, it is the only manufacturer that can currently operate fuel cell engines at below freezing.

"At the minimum, our fuel cell technology can match those of the top automakers in the world," said Kim Se-hoon, a senior researcher on the Hyundai's fuel cell development team.

Hyundai intends to road test the vehicle in the US in 2009.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd