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At Hyundai, we maintain a careful balance of environmental priorities and the demands of safety, quality and affordability. Hyundai places great emphasis on the Research & Development (R&D) of new environmentally compatible technologies in support of environmental protection initiatives. Focus has been placed on technologies to reduce exhausted emission from vehicle, and to enhance the recycling efficiency of end of life vehicles. At Hyundai, we maintain a careful balance of environmental priorities and the demands of safety, quality and affordability.
Creating Value for People
Harnessing technological innovation and conserving resources to make safer and more environmentally friendly vehicles has always been at the centre of Korean carmaker Hyundai Motors commitment to sustainability. This is based on Hyundai Motors' key to sustainable management through the meeting of economic, environmental and social obligations in the motor industry. An example of Hyundai Motors initiative is a greater emphasis in research and development to reduce exhaust emissions from vehicles and to enhance the recycling efficiency at the end of a vehicle's life. To meet these objectives, Hyundai Motors has concentrated on low emission and zero emission technologies such as hybrid electric power trains and the development of a fuel cell. Furthermore, an increased effort to use eco-friendly materials in cars also reduces the release of hazardous substances from the vehicles.
As the global market's emphasis on corporate social responsibility and future sustainability intensifies, Hyundai Motors is poised to meet these demands through its commitment and dedication to the building of a sustainable future between humans and cars.
Hyundai and Climate Change
Corresponding to the Kyoto protocol on Climate Change, Hyundai officially began the Climate Change Convention Task Force Team (TFT) in February 2005. The TFT outlines the development and production of environmentally friendly vehicles, energy efficiency improvements in the production process and prescribes practices that adhere to the Kyoto mechanism.
Environmentally Friendly Vehicles
Hyundai is investing in the development of green vehicles such as the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), a technology which results to greater reduction in greenhouse emissions.
- HEV combine the conventional power-train along with the electric motor and the battery system. As a result, the HEV offers improved energy efficiency and an overall reduction in emissions. When compared to conventional petrol, the HEV provides a greater than 50% improvement in fuel economy and a 15% and greater reduction in total emissions.
- FCEV uses hydrogen, methanol or natural gas as its main fuel in reaction with oxygen, resulting in the outflow of electricity. Using hydrogen as a fuel sources means the only emission from FCEV is H2O – water ! Even when liquefied fuel sources are used, exhaust emission are minimal with the exception of CO2. Further, FCEV offers a quiet ride, increased power and improved fuel economy.
Fuel Economy & Emissions
Hyundai has developed environmentally friendly diesel engines that emit low levels of CO2, NOx and particulate matter (PM) whilst offering high fuel efficiency. The Common Rail Direct Injection Diesel Engine (CRDi), the Variable Geometry Turbo-charger (VGT), and the Exhaust Gas Reduction (EGR) enhance the environmental friendliness of Hyundai's diesel vehicles. Plans have been taken to introduce Catalysed Particulate Filter (CPF) enhancements in passenger vehicles in compliance with Euro – IV to curb air emissions. This meets and exceeds Australia's compliance level.
Hyundai Motor Company has made a commitment to the European Unions CO2 Reduction strategy. By 2009 Hyundai is targeting a 29% reduction in the average CO2 output per vehicle to 140g/km.
Recycling
Hyundai has been working to improve the environmentally friendliness of its products for the whole of its lifecycle. In compliance with the EU directive on end-of life vehicles, Hyundai has been developing and applying various heavy metal-free parts, and has registered on the International Material Data System (IMDS), a monitoring and managing system of harmful chemicals.
Also, Hyundai has been implementing the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) from the production design stage to the disposal stage to better assess the total environmental ramifications of vehicles.
To exceed a 95% weight-based recycling rate in the disassembly process by 2015, Hyundai aims to develop new recycling systems and technologies, including the construction of facilities.
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