February 22, 2024
ByNikesh Kooverjee

Here's How Much It Costs To Refill The Hydrogen-Powered Hyundai Nexo

• Hyundai's Nexo is a costly but eco-friendly option with limited infrastructure, costing $226.80 to refill and covering 380 miles on a full tank.
• The Nexo doesn't emit tailpipe emissions, qualifies for HOV lanes, and has a 0.329 drag coefficient with 161 HP and 291 LB-FT.
• Hyundai aims to revolutionize transportation with hydrogen fuel-cell tech, currently limited by infrastructure growth in the U.S. and poor unit sales.

Hyundai's Nexo is a costly but eco-friendly option with limited infrastructure, costing $226.80 to refill and covering 380 miles on a full tank.
The Nexo doesn't emit tailpipe emissions, qualifies for HOV lanes, and has a 0.329 drag coefficient with 161 HP and 291 LB-FT.
Hyundai aims to revolutionize transportation with hydrogen fuel-cell tech, currently limited by infrastructure growth in the U.S. and poor unit sales.

Hyundai is one of very few manufacturers currently heavily invested in hydrogen fuel-cell technology. The Nexo is currently the only hydrogen fuel-cell EV crossover sold in California. Compared to its ICE and EV endeavors, hydrogen certainly takes a bit of a backseat, but we see some level of interest when looking at previous concepts like the exhilarating N Vision 74.

Naturally, there are some noteworthy drawbacks to operating a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, including limited infrastructure and inflated fuel costs. Hydrogen is a fairly costly fuel option, because it costs a lot to generate and deliver. The fuel also requires a demanding storage system, but you can enjoy some noteworthy savings in the early years of ownership.

The Hyundai Nexo Starts At $60,135

 The Hyundai Nexo is an incredibly costly option, with its $60,135 starting price. However, it boasts $4,500 worth of potential rebates and comes with $15,000 worth of free hydrogen via the H2 Fuel Card.

Unfortunately, the Nexo isn't a very popular car for Hyundai, as it barely surpasses 420 unit sales every year. Granted, it is only available in California, but this region consistently returns one of the highest car sales figures every month. As of January 2024, Hyundai has only sold 23 Nexo examples this year.

The Hyundai Nexo Costs $226.80 To Refill

According to True Zero, California's premier hydrogen supplier, one kilogram of hydrogen will set you back by $36. The Nexo features a 6.3 kg tank, meaning you'll have to pay $226.80 to fill it up. This is drastically more than what you'd have to spend on the average tank of gas or to recharge a large EV battery pack.

Thankfully, Hyundai sells every Nexo with the aforementioned $15,000 hydrogen credit, but this is limited to just the first three years of ownership. This will get you just under 66 tanks of hydrogen, which most Californian road users are very unlikely to get through in just 36 months.

The Hyundai Nexo Covers 380 Miles On A Full Tank

The Nexo may have one of the larger hydrogen tanks in the very small FCEV segment, but it also struggles with the poorest range. The EPA estimates the more efficient Blue trim will cover 380 miles on a single tank, while the more premium Limited trim only squeezes 354 miles on a tank.

Hyundai Nexo Energy Consumption

 The Hyundai Nexo Doesn't Produce Tailpipe Emissions

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles don't produce any tailpipe emissions, making them the perfect choice if you're an eco-conscious consumer. FCEVs also get access to California's HOV carpool lane, so it also improves convenience in rush hour traffic. Refueling the 13.8-gallon tank requires about five minutes, reflecting the benefits of driving an EV mixed with the rapid ICE refueling times.

Hyundai Nexo's Hydrogen Emissions

• Hyundai's hydrogen fuel cell vehicles only produce water vapor as a byproduct, making it a truly zero-emission vehicle.
• This vapor is clean and does not contribute to air pollution.
• Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer a solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, because they don't emit CO2 during the chemical process.
• Hyundai's commitment to hydrogen technology forms a part of its vision for sustainable mobility and reducing environmental footprints.
• No traditional tailpipe emissions lead to better air quality and public health.
• Hyundai's continued effort to invest in hydrogen fuel cell technology expands its lineup of zero-emission vehicles and promotes widespread adoption.

FCEVs convert hydrogen into electricity by mixing it with air from the frontal intake system. This chemical reaction produces electricity, of which excess energy is stored in a 1.56 kWh battery pack. Water vapor is the only byproduct the process generates. Hyundai has ensured the Nexo's tank is a safe and secure unit, because of how combustible hydrogen is. The tank is surrounded by its own crumple zone structure, which takes in kinetic energy in the event of a crash.

The Hyundai Nexo Has A 0.329 Drag Coefficient

Like any other FCEV, the Nexo returns some substandard performance characteristics. The single front-mounted permanent-magnet motor only generates 161 horsepower and 291 pound-feet, resulting in a tested 8.4-second 0-60 MPH time. Hyundai limits the top speed to 111 MPH.

Performance Specifications

(Specifications sourced from Hyundai)

The Hyundai Nexo adopts a mixture of the brand's previous and current design languages, resulting in a rather peculiar exterior appearance. The benefit of its odd design is a 0.329 Cd drag coefficient, while still maintaining conventional crossover proportions.

Californians currently have access to 59 different hydrogen stations. The most popular areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles benefit from the most locations. There are two stations in Sacramento and one just outside Truckee.

• Electrolysis is the most expensive process when forming hydrogen.
• Solar and wind are key renewable sources when lowering hydrogen production's carbon footprint.
• Hydrogen refueling stations are still expensive to construct, but new developments have lowered costs.
• Incentives and subsidies play a significant role in offsetting hydrogen production and infrastructure costs.
• The best way to reduce hydrogen costs is by scaling up production and improving distribution systems.
• Research and development efforts aim to innovate technologies and processes to further decrease the cost of hydrogen in the USA.

Shell's decision to close seven hydrogen stations came as a noteworthy blow to FCEV owners, because it negatively affected the already limited infrastructure. This also impacts how successful automakers can make these products. The Nexo's poor unit sales reflect this.

Hydrogen Stations In The U.S.

According to the Department of Energy, key suppliers are planning to add 50 new hydrogen stations for FCEV owners. They will break ground on five new stations in northeastern states, further improving the viability of hydrogen cars for American road users.

• The hydrogen refueling station network in the U.S. is steadily growing in California and other states.
• California has the best hydrogen station deployment, and plans to build a comprehensive network to improve fuel cell vehicle support.
• Public and private partnerships are vital for funding and developing hydrogen refueling infrastructure across the U.S.
• Hydrogen station locations are strategically chosen to support key transportation corridors and urban centers.
• Hydrogen availability influences consumer confidence and adoption of fuel-cell vehicles.
• Continued hydrogen infrastructure investment is essential to support the growth of the hydrogen economy and decarbonize transportation in the U.S.

The DoE is also heading up an H2USA campaign. This recruits federal agencies, automakers, hydrogen providers, fuel cell developers, national laboratories, and additional stakeholders to further improve hydrogen supply across the country. It's evident that the uptake is not as urgent as electric car charging stations, of which there are already well over 160,000 nation-wide, but it's still a valiant and admirable endeavor to diversify green fuels and lower the national carbon footprint.

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