Tuesday, June 13, 2023 will go down in Quebec automobile history. The Brossard Hyundai dealership, in partnership with Charbone Hydrogène, has put the first three 2023 Hyundai NEXOs in the region on the road. These hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles represent a major advance in the field of renewable energies.

The initiative is all the more remarkable as it was undertaken by two local leaders : Dave B. Gagnon, President and CEO of Charbone Hydrogène, and Jean-François Charest, Director of New Vehicles Sales at Brossard Hyundai. Charbone Hydrogène, a company based in Brossard, is about to open Quebec's first green hydrogen plant, in Sorel-Tracy.

"This is quite a unique transaction. Currently, there is no infrastructure in Canada to run hydrogen vehicles, therefore the NEXO is not distributed here", explained Jean-François Charest.

The Hyundai NEXO, with its manufacturer's suggested retail price of $71,000, does not just offer an ecological alternative. It also promises great autonomy, up to 600 km without refueling, and remarkable winter performance, its battery not losing capacity during cold periods.

These vehicles aren't just meant to transport Charbone leaders. They also have an educational purpose and will be made available to the public for testing. The company thus wishes to demonstrate the capabilities of this technology in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada, to various authorities, including governments.

Mr. Gagnon is particularly enthusiastic about this acquisition. "This is the first time that a hydrogen company is going to put its nose in this very fossil industry of F1!", He exclaims. Charbone Hydrogène will indeed be present on Crescent Street during the Formula 1 Grand Prix, allowing the public to discover the technologies related to the production, distribution and uses of green hydrogen.

While it is currently impossible to recharge a car with green hydrogen in Quebec, Charbone Hydrogène is preparing to change the situation. Its plant, ready to produce green hydrogen this summer, and an agreement concluded in December 2022 with the Filgo-Sonic Group for the establishment of refueling stations, suggest a network to be deployed soon.

It is therefore the beginning of a revolution, according to Mr. Gagnon, a revolution that could extend to heavy vehicles, for which the green hydrogen could be a particularly attractive alternative.

It is therefore a new era that is opening in the world of the automobile. Charbone Hydrogène is at the forefront of this revolution, demonstrating that Quebec has the potential to be a leader in the development of clean and sustainable transportation technologies.

These three Hyundai NEXO vehicles are just the beginning. Several other manufacturers, such as BMW and Ford, are also preparing to embark on the hydrogen adventure. Charbone nevertheless chose the Hyundai model for its advanced technology, testimony to the Korean manufacturer's commitment to renewable energies.

In this context, Brossard Hyundai is positioning itself as a key player in the field of hydrogen vehicles in Canada. Its active involvement in this rare transaction and the partnership established with Charbone Hydrogène demonstrate its commitment to more sustainable mobility.

These three Hyundai NEXOs will be a valuable tool in raising awareness and acceptance of hydrogen as a viable mobility solution. They will be used to illustrate the reliability of this technology in Quebec weather conditions, an aspect that Charbone plans to study in collaboration with local academic partners.

These state-of-the-art vehicles served as a showcase for hydrogen technologies during the Formula 1 Grand Prix in June 2023. They allowed the curious to discover the potential of hydrogen. green hydrogen and imagine a future where refueling with fossil fuels is a thing of the past.

It is obvious that green hydrogen represents an important turning point in the automotive world. Thanks to companies like Brossard Hyundai and Charbone Hydrogène, Quebec is at the forefront of this revolution, ready to meet the challenges of energy transition and adapt to cleaner, more sustainable mobility.