Hyundai Motor's 'Nexo' Hydrogen Fuel Cell, First Export to Europe... Utilized for Eco-Friendly Power Generation

First Export of Hydrogen Fuel Cells Following Hydrogen Passenger Cars and Trucks
Pioneering Eco-Friendly Energy Sector... Accelerating Green New Deal Implementation

Next-generation hydrogen car Nexo unveiled by Hyundai Motor at CES 2018

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The hydrogen fuel cell installed in Hyundai Motor's hydrogen vehicle 'Nexo' is being exported overseas for the first time.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 16th, four hydrogen fuel cells for Nexo were exported for the first time at Busan Port on the same day. A ministry official said, "The hydrogen fuel cells being exported this time will be provided to 'GRZ Technologies,' a Swiss hydrogen storage technology company, and a European energy solution startup, and will be used in the eco-friendly power generation sector."

He added, "Two companies including GRZ Technologies will conduct performance verification tests locally for one year," and "Exports are expected to begin in earnest from 2022."

This export marks the first overseas export of hydrogen fuel cell systems rather than complete vehicles, and is expected to be the starting point for pioneering a new export market in the Green New Deal sector. Hyundai Motor is currently negotiating hydrogen fuel cell sales with more than 20 companies.

Hydrogen fuel cells correspond to the engine of internal combustion engine vehicles. As a core component of hydrogen vehicles accounting for 50% of the vehicle price, they can be widely used in eco-friendly energy and green mobility sectors. Due to their characteristic of generating electricity from hydrogen, they can be used as eco-friendly power generators and applied to trains, ships, drones, and construction machinery that operate motors powered by electricity.

In particular, the hydrogen fuel cells for Nexo are the result of accumulated efforts supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's R&D and private sector initiatives. The ministry stated, "Our companies have secured top-level technology in terms of core hydrogen fuel cell technologies such as efficiency and durability."

The government expects that this export will establish a foothold for leading various eco-friendly markets such as energy and shipping, while advancing Korea as a powerhouse in eco-friendly energy technology.

Following hydrogen passenger cars and hydrogen trucks, the plan is to foster hydrogen fuel cells as a core export product to actively promote the global hydrogen economy expansion and the Green New Deal.

Unlike internal combustion engine vehicle exports, which have suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hydrogen passenger car exports have actually increased. From January to July this year, hydrogen vehicle exports rose by 74.5% compared to the same period last year. In July, there was also success in exporting hydrogen trucks to Europe, a powerhouse in truck technology. A total of 1,600 hydrogen trucks are planned to be exported to Switzerland by 2025.

The ministry said, "The hydrogen fuel cell market is in its infancy with no international standards, so it is important to secure a lead faster than competing countries," and added, "To foster hydrogen fuel cells as a core driving force of the Green New Deal, we will accelerate efforts to improve performance and commercialize various hydrogen vehicle export models."

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