[Hydrogen Economy, Companies Take the Lead] "The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Car" The Path to Hydrogen Vehicles Opened by Hyundai

Hyundai Motor Unveils Mid-Size Hydrogen Truck for the First Time at China Exhibition
First Mass-Produced Model Among Key Passenger and Commercial Vehicles
Full Commercial Hydrogen Vehicle Lineup to Launch by 2028
Commercial Vehicles Prioritized Considering Driving Characteristics and Battery Vehicle Limitations
Korea Led Hydrogen Vehicle Adoption, but China’s Pursuit Intensifies

Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled a mid-sized hydrogen fuel cell truck for the first time in China. Based on the 2.5 to 4-ton truck 'Mighty,' which is also sold domestically, the model was showcased to the public at the recently opened China International Import Expo in Shanghai. It uses the hydrogen fuel cell system produced at the newly operational H-Two (H투) plant in Guangzhou, and Hyundai plans to collaborate with local commercial vehicle manufacturers to produce it.

H-Two is a brand introduced by Hyundai to expand its hydrogen business, and H-Two Guangzhou is Hyundai's first overseas hydrogen fuel cell factory. The Mighty Fuel Cell (tentative name) is a mass-production model that has essentially completed development beyond the vehicle development and prototype stages. It will be initially sold locally in China, focusing on Guangzhou, where subsidies are provided.

A medium-duty truck equipped with Hyundai Motor Company's hydrogen fuel cell system. It was first unveiled at the China International Import Expo. Sales will initially target regions eligible for subsidies.
[Photo by MarkLines]

Emerging in the Mid-20th Century... Hyundai's First Mass Production

Commonly referred to as hydrogen cars, these vehicles utilize hydrogen fuel cell systems to generate electricity from hydrogen, store it, and use it as a power source. Similar hydrogen cars were introduced in the 1960s and 1970s by General Motors (GM) in the United States and Daimler-Benz in Europe. In the 21st century, global automakers such as Honda, Ford, and Toyota have also produced visible results. However, earlier models were mostly concept cars or prototypes developed for limited purposes to showcase technology.

Hyundai is the first to offer a mass-produced hydrogen vehicle available on the market. The Tucson ix Fuel Cell, released in 2013, was the world's first mass-produced hydrogen car. Hyundai's hydrogen passenger car lineage continued with a concept car in 2017, followed by the launch of the Nexo in 2018. Even six years after its release, the Nexo remains the best-selling hydrogen car. The Xcient Fuel Cell truck, launched in 2020, is the first mass-produced large commercial hydrogen vehicle, and the Universe Fuel Cell bus, introduced in April this year, is also the world's first large high-speed hydrogen bus.

The hydrogen electric low-floor city bus E-Way H2, jointly developed by Hyundai Motor Company and the Italian commercial vehicle manufacturer Iveco. It can travel 450 km on a single charge.
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

Hyundai has also laid out detailed mid- to long-term plans. By 2028, it aims to apply hydrogen fuel cells across its entire commercial vehicle lineup and introduce hydrogen fuel cell purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) approximately 5 to 7 meters in length. PBVs are mobility solutions that place various modules on a shared platform resembling a skateboard, adaptable for different uses. They are expected to have versatile applications in transportation, storage, leisure, and more.

In the longer term, Hyundai plans to integrate autonomous driving and robotics technologies. The trailer drone for transportation, unveiled in 2021, is also based on hydrogen fuel cells. Although still in the research phase, the high-performance hydrogen hybrid N Vision 74, which combines the advantages of hydrogen fuel cells and battery electric vehicles, is a model closely watched by automakers worldwide.

Hyundai Motor Company's hydrogen fuel cell system and the first commercial truck Xcient
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

"Hydrogen Overcomes Battery Electric Vehicle Limitations... Prioritizing Commercial Vehicles"

Applying hydrogen technology primarily to commercial vehicles is due to their significantly longer driving distances and consequently higher carbon emissions compared to passenger cars. Many current commercial vehicles run on diesel, making electrification necessary from an environmental perspective. Hydrogen vehicles also have an advantage over battery electric vehicles in terms of charging challenges. Although hydrogen refueling infrastructure is still insufficient, commercial vehicles typically operate on fixed routes, allowing refueling stations to be built only where necessary.

For large trucks, the weight and volume of batteries required for battery electric vehicles are substantial, making hydrogen vehicles more advantageous. Electric buses on the market use batteries close to 300 kWh, which is 4 to 5 times the capacity of the Ioniq 5. Charging takes a long time, and the batteries are excessively heavy. Considering the payload of large trucks, even more batteries would be needed.

The Xcient hydrogen truck uses about 72 kWh of batteries, similar to the Ioniq 5. The hydrogen fuel cell stack and related systems act as a generator, producing electricity as needed to power the vehicle. This is why commercial hydrogen vehicles are expected to arrive ahead of others.

The world's first hydrogen fuel cell truck, the Xcient, was sold overseas first. Hyundai Xcient hydrogen trucks being loaded for export abroad
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

Hydrogen has long been regarded as a future energy source due to its abundance and cleanliness. However, developing the technology to utilize it is a different challenge. Hydrogen is small and light, making it difficult to handle. Moreover, developing technology does not immediately lead to mass production. Whether the market is ready to accept it is not something that can be resolved by one or two companies alone. The internal combustion engine-centered automotive ecosystem has been firmly established over more than a century, so it is expected to take considerable time and cost for new power sources to take root. The automotive industry, including supply chains involving tens of thousands of parts and after-sales maintenance networks, is intricately interconnected.

Although the electrification trend has accelerated as a response to climate change, recent slowdowns in electric vehicle sales have led to calls for a more measured approach. Hydrogen vehicles also face significant challenges to expand their adoption. Currently, the production cost of hydrogen itself is high, and hydrogen vehicles are expensive, making it difficult for them to sustain themselves without public support such as subsidies.

South Korea Leads in Hydrogen Vehicles, China Quickly Catching Up

South Korea's relatively rapid adoption of hydrogen vehicles is due to Hyundai's early release of mass-produced vehicles and the alignment of various public and private stakeholders in building a hydrogen ecosystem. Although the total number of registered vehicles was less than 1,000 until 2018, five years after the 2013 launch, the number quickly increased, surpassing 10,000 in 2020.

As of October this year, nearly three years later, the registered number reached 33,796, the highest among countries where hydrogen vehicles are sold, including the United States, Japan, and Germany. However, the recent adoption rate has slowed due to model aging, such as delays in the release of the new Nexo.

According to SNE Research data, sales from January to August this year were 3,726 units, more than 40% lower than the same period last year. Although China and the United States still have lower sales volumes than South Korea, they have increased sales by more than 30% compared to last year, rapidly catching up.

Hyundai's dedication to the hydrogen business is rooted in Chairman Chung Euisun's vision emphasizing the role of being a leader rather than a follower in the upcoming electrification era. While the internal combustion engine era saw Hyundai following leading automakers, the new electrification era is viewed as an opportunity to lead the market with advanced technology. At the 2020 'Korean New Deal Report Conference,' Chairman Chung stated, "We will expand sales of hydrogen buses and trucks domestically and actively develop overseas markets such as the United States and China," adding, "Electricity production using hydrogen is a future eco-friendly energy solution and will grow into a core industry of the future."

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