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MABUK-DONG, South Korea – “Stepping on the gas” takes on a whole new meaning behind the wheel of Hyundai’s third-generation fuel-cell electric vehicle, the ix35.

Powered exclusively by hydrogen, the zero-emission cross/utility vehicle was completed late last year by some 200 engineers at the Korean auto maker’s fuel-cell development center here.

Next year, Hyundai will begin small-scale production of the FCV in Ulsan at the same plant that makes conventional gasoline-powered versions of the vehicle, known in the U.S. as the Tucson, says Jae Young Shim, senior research engineer working with Fuel Cell Vehicle Team 1 at the tech center here.

Between 2012 and 2014, the auto maker plans to manufacture 1,000 FCVs for lease only. An undetermined amount will come to the U.S.

In the meantime, a small number of prototypes has been parceled out globally to government organizations hoping to wean their economies off petroleum.

In 2015, Hyundai expects to begin mass production of FCVs, with a first-year target of 10,000 units. The goal is to sell the vehicles for $50,000 apiece.

At least that’s the gameplan. Political, economic, technical and environmental challenges are sure to surface during this timeframe, but one thing is certain: Fossil fuels will not last forever. What’s surprising is that there are few surprises when test driving the ix35 FCV. It all looks and feels completely ordinary, like a conventional car.

The driver notes a gentle whirring of the 100 kW (134-hp) electric motor that turns the two front wheels, much like that of plug-in EVs such as the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt or Mitsubishi i.