Browse
Log in / Register
Share
Jeju, South Korea – December 16, 2024 – Hyundai Motor Group is accelerating its hydrogen energy strategy, positioning hydrogen as a core complement to battery electric vehicles (EVs) for decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors. At the 2026 Jeju Green Hydrogen Global Forum, held from December 14–16, top executives outlined a roadmap that includes expanded hydrogen bus production, refueling infrastructure rollouts, and deeper collaboration with research institutions globally.
Hyundai’s dual-track powertrain vision
Executive Vice President Shin Seung-kyu, head of the Robotics and Hydrogen (RH) Project Management Office, stressed that “as renewable energy becomes more widely deployed, stable energy supply and efficient utilization are becoming critical.” He argued that hydrogen offers a scalable solution for storing intermittent solar and wind power, enabling year-round energy security. Hyundai’s approach keeps battery EVs for passenger cars while channeling hydrogen fuel cells into heavy-duty trucks, buses, and industrial applications.
New academic partnerships to build a hydrogen ecosystem
The forum hosted 106 institutions, companies, and universities from nine countries, including the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Hyundai announced joint research programs with Seoul National University and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to improve electrolysis efficiency and lower green hydrogen production costs. The collaborations also extend to overseas partners, such as U.S.-based Argonne National Laboratory, focusing on next-generation membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs).
U.S. angle: aligning with federal hydrogen hubs
Hyundai’s hydrogen push directly supports the U.S. Department of Energy’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs), which aim to produce 3 million metric tons of clean hydrogen annually by 2030. The automaker is already operating a fuel cell system plant in Chungju, South Korea, and is considering a similar facility in Georgia alongside its $7.6 billion EV and battery factory under construction. In California, Hyundai is expanding its partnership with hydrogen station operator FirstElement Fuel to triple the number of retail hydrogen dispensers by 2026.
Hydrogen buses as a proof of concept
Hyundai has already deployed over 1,000 hydrogen-powered Elec City buses in South Korea and launched the XCIENT Fuel Cell heavy-duty truck in Switzerland, California, and soon in Germany. “Fleet adoption is the fastest way to scale hydrogen infrastructure because commercial routes are predictable and high-utilization,” said Mark Jung, global director of Hyundai’s commercial vehicle division, in a recent interview. The company plans to supply 500 hydrogen buses to Seoul’s metropolitan transit system by the end of 2025, replacing aging diesel fleets.
Competing claims: is hydrogen a distraction?
Some critics argue that hydrogen fuel cells are less efficient than battery EVs due to energy losses during electrolysis and compression. However, Hyundai counters that for long-haul trucking and off-road machinery, battery weight and charging downtime make hydrogen more viable. The IEA’s Global Hydrogen Review 2024 notes that while hydrogen currently accounts for less than 2% of global transport energy demand, it offers a unique advantage for industrial heat and seasonal storage—applications that battery electrification cannot adequately address.
Economic and regulatory tailwinds
In the U.S., the Inflation Reduction Act’s 45V hydrogen production tax credit (up to $3 per kilogram) enhances the business case for projects like Hyundai’s planned hydrogen refueling corridors along Interstate 5 and the East Coast. The company is also in early discussions with several U.S. utility companies to use its stationary fuel cells for grid balancing, repurposing technology originally developed for the NEXO SUV.
What’s next for Hyundai’s hydrogen roadmap
At the forum, Shin revealed that Hyundai plans to launch a third-generation fuel cell system in 2025, offering 20% higher power density and 15% lower cost than the current generation used in the NEXO. The new system will be deployed first in commercial vehicles before trickling down to passenger models. By 2030, Hyundai targets an annual production capacity of 500,000 fuel cell units, with a split between mobility and stationary applications.
Industry reaction and competitive landscape
Toyota continues to be Hyundai’s main rival in hydrogen, with its Mirai sedan and initiatives in Japan and China. Yet
