Quick take

Hyundai NEXO sales are on fire: nearly 7,000 units were sold from June to August, surpassing the first-gen debut pace. And it’s happening as the wider hydrogen car market softens. So, pay attention if you’re tracking alternative powertrains.

Why the jump matters

Hyundai says the facelifted NEXO has sold nearly 7,000 units in just a few months, beating the original model’s early sales and a rare bright spot in hydrogen passenger vehicles this year. The momentum is in Korea, where subsidies and visibility at big events (like APEC Energy meetings) keep FCEVs in the conversation.

What’s new under the skin

The new NEXO features a high-efficiency fuel cell stack rated at 110 kW and a more powerful electric motor with an output of 150 kW, which combined with the battery provides a total system output of 190 kW. With a claimed single-tank range of up to around 720 km, this offers a meaningful increase over earlier iterations (which had up to 611 km EPA and WLTP figures of ~666 km), making it shine for range-conscious commuters with quick refills.

Context: a niche fighting headwinds

Global hydrogen car sales were down 27% in H1 2025 and even Hyundai’s FCEV sales were down year over year despite the second-gen NEXO – proof the segment is niche and infrastructure-limited outside of select markets. But Hyundai is targeting 50,000 hydrogen vehicles by year-end, with domestic production plans and policy support, so they’re betting big on FCEVs.

What this means for buyers

If you have access to hydrogen stations, the NEXO’s refueling speed and long range are a win vs long-charge EVs, especially for highway-heavy commutes – worth the trade in specific regions. In areas with patchy infrastructure, FCVs are a tougher sell, and that’s the catch many US buyers have felt this year with station outages and closures.

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Outlook

With Hyundai leaning into visibility, subsidies and an upgraded package, NEXO sales could stay strong through the year – even as the broader FCEV market adjusts to infrastructure reality.

FAQs

Is the new Hyundai NEXO available everywhere?

Available in markets with hydrogen networks, mainly Korea, with phased rollouts elsewhere depending on stations and policy.

How significant is this sales milestone?

For a hydrogen SUV, that’s a good start and better than the first-gen’s early numbers and the overall FCEV decline in 2025.