Hyundai has come up with a plan that they think will attract a lot of people to their first mass-produced hydrogen-powered car, the ix35 Tucson FCEV. Fron spring 2014, the car will be available to retail customers the U.S. market for just $499 per month, including unlimited free hydrogen refueling and At Your Service Valet Maintenance at no extra cost.

In the first phase, the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell will initially be offered to customers in the Los Angeles/Orange County region for $499 per month for a 36-month term, with $2,999 down. Hydrogen-powered cars make a lot more sense than plug-in electric cars, but the biggest hurdle in their way is the lack of an infrastructure for hydrogen refueling stations. Hyundai has got around this problem by “At Your Service” valet program. They basically come around and refuel your car for you, free of charge!

Actually, it is not free of charge. The cost of hydrogen is covered in the monthly payment. But even so, it sounds like a good deal. Hyundai’s plan sounds like the most convenient way of going green for the time being.

Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell will have a range of 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen, and it only takes like 10 minutes to be refueled. The car obviously uses electric propulsion, which means all of the 221 lb-ft torque is available from zero rpm, resulting in decent acceleration. Other advantages of FCEV include superb daily reliability and long-term durability because there is only one moving part in the entire powertrain system, zero emission, quite EV operation, and lower fire and crash injury risks.