Hyundai scion: Now is time to act, full-scale hydrogen FCEV transition to start this year
Hans · Mar 17, 2023 09:13 AM
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The Hyundai Motor Group, which now controls more than half of the world’s hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) market, will begin a full-scale journey to transition into a hydrogen economy this year, said Executive Chairman Chung Eui-sun, grandson of founder Chung Ju-yung.
“In 2023, Hyundai Motor Group intends to embark on a full-scale journey to transition to a hydrogen society. To establish a sustainable supply chain, we will take the lead in preparing for the application of green steel and eco-friendly parts, and gradually convert utilities and raw materials used at our business sites around the world to renewable energy, waste resources and ultimately hydrogen. In the mid- to long-term, we will make continuous efforts to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the automotive value chain by securing a large amount of hydrogen and converting the product logistics system outside business sites to hydrogen.,” Chung said in an interview with the Hydrogen Council last month.
Hyundai is one of the 13 founding members of the Hydrogen Council, which now has 145 member companies based in 20 countries.
The company’s pursuit of hydrogen FCEVs will be done in parallel with its BEV targets.
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Hyundai has previously announced that it is aiming to secure 7 percent of the world’s BEV sales by 2030 (excluding Kia). This translates to a sales target of 1.87 million BEVs by 2030. Supporting this goal are 17 upcoming BEV models from Hyundai.
Kia has also been told to deliver an additional 1.2 million BEV sales by 2030, supported by the launch of 14 new BEVs by 2027, including two electric pick-up trucks and a low-cost BEV for emerging markets.
The group targets to have 100 percent of its energy supply sourced from renewable sources by 2045, and in Hyundai’s opinion - this cannot be achieved without hydrogen, because there just won’t be enough batteries to meet demand for vehicles and solar / wind farms.
“To achieve Hyundai and Kia’s 2045 carbon-neutrality goals, we must make the transition to a hydrogen society. Especially, Hyundai is one of a few automakers that have succeeded in mass-producing both hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric vehicles. It is continuing development to expand the supply of hydrogen-powered vehicles — the first step in the transition to a hydrogen society,” said Chung.
Hyundai wants to use hydrogen as a medium to store excess energy harvested by solar and wind farms. At night, or when output of wind farm is not enough, energy stored in hydrogen tanks can be converted back into electricity using Hyundai’s fuel cell technology.
“The last five years have been a period for publicizing the possibility of hydrogen and preparing policy and institutional systems. Now is the time to act. I think it is an especially important time for cooperation and solidarity between governments and related industries.” said Chung.
Apart from cars, Hyundai has interests in shipping, construction, chemicals, as well as oil and gas - segments that batteries are of little use. Hydrogen is also an important feedstock for industrial chemicals. The company cannot achieve carbon neutrality without an integrated green hydrogen economy, and Hyundai wants to use cars to kick-start this transition.
Over 15 years of experience in automotive, from product planning, to market research, to print and digital media. Garages a 6-cylinder manual RWD but buses to work.
