The First Hydrogen Bus of the Year Delivered to Transport Company... Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Forecasts Distribution of Over 80 Units

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held an event on the 29th to deliver the first hydrogen bus produced this year to a transportation company.

In a press release on the same day, the Ministry stated, "The upgraded model of the hydrogen bus supplied last year began mass production this month," and "the first hydrogen bus produced this year was delivered to a transportation company in Jeonju City (Honam Express)."

Hydrogen buses have been supplied since last year through the Ministry’s 'Hydrogen Bus for Urban Driving' research and development project.

This year, more than 80 hydrogen buses are expected to be supplied, which is more than five times the 15 units supplied last year. In particular, hydrogen buses with improved performance through the installation of bus-exclusive storage tanks will be introduced.

With government support, the domestic supply of hydrogen vehicles has grown more than 88 times from a cumulative 87 units at the end of 2016 to 7,682 units as of June this year. Exports overseas have also increased more than fourfold from a cumulative 552 units in 2016 to 2,405 units as of June this year.

The Ministry plans to actively support performance improvements for commercial vehicles, such as durability enhancement (500,000 km by 2025) and localization of large-capacity motors, by promoting various demonstrations to accelerate the transition of buses and trucks to hydrogen vehicles.

The mandatory purchase ratio of eco-friendly vehicles by public institutions will be raised from 70% to 100%, and the purchase target will be expanded from passenger cars to commercial vehicles. Measures to mandate private companies, such as large distribution and logistics firms, to purchase eco-friendly trucks will also be pursued.

Hydrogen charging stations will be increased to a cumulative total of 100 by the end of this year and 450 by 2025 to enhance user convenience.

Kang Kyung-sung, Director of Industrial Policy at the Ministry, said, "To accelerate the popularization of hydrogen commercial vehicles such as hydrogen buses, it is important for the government, local governments, and capable private companies to join forces," adding, "The supply of the first hydrogen bus is expected to be an important milestone for hydrogen vehicles to expand into various fields such as public transportation and logistics."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.