Aussie Police Now Have A Hydrogen Hyundai Nexo To Fight Crime

Police in the Australian state of Queensland have just taken delivery of a hydrogen-powered Hyundai Nexo.

The Nexo is the only hydrogen-powered production vehicle currently sold in Australia and the Queensland government is adding five to its fleet. These five cars will join the 28 models already rolled out to the ACT government and emergency services last year, as well as those stationed at Hyundai’s head office in Sydney.

Making the Nexo delivered to the Queensland Police Service stand out is the wrap, lights, and sirens. The vehicle will be used for general policing duties as well as a means of showcasing hydrogen powertrain technology to the public. It is the first fuel-cell police car used in the Southern Hemisphere.

“Deploying NEXO into the Queensland Police Service provides a terrific opportunity for police to experience the unique benefits of our zero-emission hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle while showcasing the technology to the public,” Hyundai Motor Company Australia chief executive officer Jun Heo said in a statement.

The Hyundai Nexo’s hydrogen-driven electric powertrain produces 161 hp and 291 lb-ft (395 Nm) of torque, allowing the crossover to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 9.5 seconds and reach a 111 mph (179 km/h) top speed. Officially, it has a range of 413.8 miles (666 km) on the WLTP cycle but in May, one was driven for 561.3 miles (903.4 km) on a single tank in Australia, setting a world record for the longest distance traveled by a hydrogen-powered vehicle on one tank. That record has since been broken by a Toyota Mirai which last August traveled for 845 miles (1,360 km) without refueling in southern California.