Hyundai Motor Company is pursuing the expansion of hydrogen electric commuter buses in the domestic market and is working to spread the hydrogen mobility ecosystem.
On the 22nd, Hyundai Motor announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding at the Hyundai Motor Environmental Technology Research Institute in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, with the Ministry of Environment, Wonder Mobility, Hyosung Hydrogen, and Samsung C&T (Everland) for the expansion of hydrogen electric commuter buses.
The event was attended by Jeong Yooseok, Vice President in charge of Hyundai Motor’s domestic business division, Lee Byeonghwa, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Environment, Wonder Mobility’s CEOs Jeon Sooyeon and Ham Kiyeong, Hyosung Hydrogen’s CEO Yoon Jonghyun, and Samsung C&T (Everland) Executive Director Jo Youngmin.
The key aspect of this agreement is to convert the vehicles operated by Wonder Mobility, the largest commuter bus operator in the country, into hydrogen electric buses. Specifically, Wonder Mobility plans to introduce 2,000 hydrogen electric buses by 2030, and Hyundai will timely produce and supply the Universe hydrogen electric buses to meet this demand.
The Universe hydrogen electric bus is equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system with a maximum output of 180kW, providing a driving range of up to 635 km on a single charge. It also features advanced driver assistance systems such as Smart Cruise Control, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Condition Warning, and Haptic Steering Wheel.
Additionally, Hyundai plans to strengthen service support through the quality assurance of key hydrogen bus components and ongoing technological development to ensure an optimal hydrogen bus operating environment. Furthermore, it will work with Hyosung Hydrogen and Samsung C&T (Everland) to increase the proportion of hydrogen electric buses within their operated commuter buses.
Meanwhile, Wonder Mobility is considering the establishment and operation of hydrogen refueling stations within its garages, and Hyosung Hydrogen is reviewing plans for expanding the construction of large-capacity commercial hydrogen refueling stations.
The Ministry of Environment supports the purchase and operation of hydrogen electric buses through subsidies and is actively supporting the expansion of charging infrastructure by continually allocating subsidies for the construction of hydrogen refueling stations.
A Hyundai Motor representative stated, “We will continue to push for the expansion of hydrogen electric buses as eco-friendly mobility in various fields in the future.”