'Air Purifier Running in the National Assembly'... Introduction of the First Hydrogen Electric Bus in a Government Agency

Hyundai Electric Bus Elec City

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] The National Assembly is set to introduce the first mass-produced hydrogen electric bus among government agencies. Following the installation of a hydrogen refueling station at the National Assembly and the enactment of the Hydrogen Economy Act, this move to promote the adoption of hydrogen electric vehicles signifies the Assembly's commitment to fostering the hydrogen economy.

On the 12th, the National Assembly held a test drive event for the hydrogen electric bus in front of the main building. Attendees included National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok, related officials from the Assembly, and Hyundai Motor Company’s Public Operations President Gong Young-woon, who manufactured the hydrogen electric bus.

The National Assembly has acquired the 'first mass-produced hydrogen electric bus' for a government agency. While hydrogen electric buses have been introduced as special-purpose vehicles such as police buses in government agencies, this is the first case of a government agency adopting a mass-produced hydrogen electric bus that local governments operate as city buses.

A National Assembly official stated, "Following the infrastructure establishment through the installation of a hydrogen refueling station in September last year and the legislative completion with the enactment of the Hydrogen Economy Promotion Act in January this year, the introduction of the hydrogen electric bus marks a proactive step in promoting the spread of hydrogen vehicles. This demonstrates South Korea’s active role in advancing as a hydrogen economy powerhouse." The Assembly plans to operate the hydrogen electric bus for shuttle bus and other purposes going forward.

The hydrogen electric bus unveiled that day can travel 434 km on a single charge. It is equipped with Hyundai’s self-developed 180kW fuel cell system, enabling a full charge in just 13 minutes at commercial hydrogen refueling stations.

It also features an air purification system that removes 99.9% of ultrafine dust from the air through a three-stage purification process, capable of purifying the amount of air that 516 people can breathe during one hour of driving. It is essentially a 'running air purifier.'

Additionally, as a low-floor bus equipped with a kneeling system (which lowers the bus by 7-8 cm towards the boarding side when stopping to allow easy boarding without steps for vulnerable passengers), elderly people, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women can board safely.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly’s hydrogen refueling station, installed last September as the government’s first regulatory sandbox project, serves an average of 90 hydrogen electric vehicles daily. South Korea is the first country in the world to establish a hydrogen refueling station within a legislative body.

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