Hyundai Nexo joins Queensland Police fleet

The Queensland Police Service has taken delivery of its first Hyundai Nexo, set to be rolled out for service in the near future.

The fuel-cell vehicle will be the first ever hydrogen-powered vehicle to be used by law enforcement in Australia, or indeed anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere, joining a fleet of five Nexos recently taken on by the Queensland Government.

While the sunshine state currently has limited infrastructure for hydrogen vehicles, the adoption of the Nexo by police and government is a shot in the arm for the local hydrogen industry, with the existing station in Redland Bay also supplying locally produced fuel for the car.

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Hyundai Australia CEO Jun Heo said the move will help potential future users to see the firm's zero-emissions technology in use.

“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,” said Heo.

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With a driving range of 666 kilometres and a refuelling time close to that of a conventional, internal combustion engine-powered vehicle, the Nexo is set to be used by Queensland cops for general policing duties – providing Hyundai with real-world data to improve the breed in its next generation.

The Nexo became Australia's first hydrogen-powered vehicle certified for sale in March, although it is only available as a special order through Hyundai, offered as an all-inclusive loan programme, covering service and maintenance.