Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun, who is "serious about hydrogen," is accelerating efforts to realize a hydrogen society. Chairman Chung is leading the charge for a hydrogen society through activities that transcend borders.

Hyundai Motor Group is collaborating with Japan to build a local hydrogen cooperation network, while in Korea, the company is actively preparing to launch the next model of its hydrogen electric vehicle (FCEV) Nexo and constructing the nation's first hydrogen fuel cell plant, aiming to lead the global hydrogen ecosystem.

According to the industry on the 12th, Hyundai Motor plans to add "hydrogen business and other related businesses" to its corporate purpose at the upcoming shareholders' meeting on the 20th. This will be the first time Hyundai has specified hydrogen business in its articles of incorporation, which is interpreted as considering the potential for expanding hydrogen-related businesses in various directions.

Hyundai Motor's construction of a next-generation hydrogen fuel cell plant at its Ulsan plant this year can be seen as part of this trend. This plant will be Hyundai's first hydrogen fuel cell facility in Korea and will be located at the site of the transmission plant within the Ulsan plant. Construction is set to begin this year, with mass production targeted for 2028.

In addition, Hyundai Motor plans to launch the new FCEV 'Inisium' in the first half of this year. The successor to the FCEV Nexo, which was released in 2018, is expected to feature the combined technology of the world's leading hydrogen vehicle manufacturer, achieving a driving range of over 650 km on a single charge. This is expected to strengthen Hyundai's competitiveness in the hydrogen vehicle market.

Since the 'Inisium' will be produced at the Ulsan plant, it is expected to maximize the synergy effect with the fuel cell plant to be built on the same site. Producing hydrogen fuel cells, a core component of hydrogen vehicles, alongside the vehicles themselves offers the advantage of increased efficiency.

Hyundai Motor Group announced plans to focus on the development of eco-friendly future technologies by investing a significant portion of its 24.3 trillion won domestic investment this year (11.5 trillion won) into electrification and hydrogen systems.

Furthermore, Hyundai Motor Group is strengthening its hydrogen cooperation network in the global market. On the 10th, Hyundai Motor participated in the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union event in Japan to promote the establishment and activation of a hydrogen cooperation network. Through this, the group aims to establish an organic hydrogen cooperation system in Japan and accelerate the global development of the hydrogen industry ecosystem and the expansion of the hydrogen market.

Specifically, the company plans to develop and establish international hydrogen technology standards, implement hydrogen production technology demonstration projects, and introduce hydrogen-related components as part of its practical cooperation efforts.

Kim Pil-su, a professor in the Department of Automotive Engineering at Daelim University, stated, "Hyundai Motor Group is focusing more on optimizing the value chain rather than generating profit from hydrogen vehicles. The current hydrogen electric vehicle market is structured in a way that the more vehicles you sell, the greater the loss. Hyundai is making significant efforts to realize a hydrogen society that extends beyond just automobiles, including areas like the environment and energy."

Earlier, Chairman Chung Eui-sun introduced the clear vision for Hyundai's hydrogen business at the 'Hydrogen Wave' event, saying, "The future hydrogen society that Hyundai Motor Group envisions is one where hydrogen energy is used by everyone, for everything, everywhere." He emphasized, "We aim to achieve this hydrogen society by 2040."

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