"Turning Corporate Commuter Buses into Hydrogen Buses" Public-Private Partnership Unites

Ministry of Environment, SK E&S, and Hyundai Motor Company Agreement

The public and private sectors are promoting a project to convert corporate commuter buses to hydrogen buses.

On the 4th, the Ministry of Environment, SK E&S, Hyundai Motor Company, and the Korea National Charter Bus Association signed the "ESG Leading Companies Hydrogen Commuter Bus Conversion Agreement" at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul, together with SK E&S, Hyundai Motor Company, and the Korea National Charter Bus Association.

The Ministry of Environment will support the conversion of 250 corporate commuter buses to hydrogen buses by 2023 and 2,000 buses (cumulative) by 2026. It will also expand the performance warranty period for hydrogen buses and secure sufficient purchase subsidies. Additionally, the ministry plans to support the construction of large-scale hydrogen refueling infrastructure that allows hydrogen commuter bus drivers to conveniently refuel anywhere, launch a joint hydrogen bus brand, and provide ESG management green financing to transportation operators introducing hydrogen buses.

Hyundai Motor Company, a hydrogen bus manufacturer, will fully produce and supply hydrogen high-floor buses mainly used as commuter buses to ensure a smooth transition to hydrogen commuter buses. The hydrogen buses being converted this time are Universe-type, launched in April, and are eco-friendly vehicles equipped with the world's first hydrogen fuel cell system in a high-speed large bus class. They can travel up to 635 km on a single charge.

SK E&S plans to stably produce and supply liquefied hydrogen, the fuel for hydrogen buses, and timely build and operate refueling infrastructure. By the end of this year, the Incheon liquefied hydrogen plant is scheduled to produce up to 30,000 tons of liquefied hydrogen annually. SK E&S is promoting the construction of liquefied hydrogen refueling stations centered on the joint venture "SK Plug Hybus" with the global hydrogen company Plug Power. Through this, the domestic hydrogen ecosystem covering hydrogen production, distribution, and consumption will be actively established.

Converting commuter buses to hydrogen buses is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, among approximately 40,000 charter buses (diesel buses) in Korea, about 35,000 buses, accounting for 88.6%, operate for commuting and school transportation.

Hydrogen buses have less noise and vibration compared to existing diesel and CNG buses, providing a better ride comfort. Moreover, employees can take the lead in carbon neutrality and participate in corporate ESG management. The hydrogen bus charging speed is fast, within about 10 minutes, and the driving range per charge is long, making it advantageous for long-distance operation.

POSCO E&C has introduced and is operating the first high-floor hydrogen commuter bus in Korea, and POSCO plans to expand hydrogen commuter buses across the entire group in the future. SK Hynix, SK Siltron, Samsung Electronics, and others are also considering converting their commuter buses to hydrogen buses.

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