Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Hyundai Motor unveils hydrogen-powered bus for police
Hyundai Motor President Kong Young-woon, right, poses with Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, center, and other government officials after signing an MOU for operation of hydrogen-powered police buses at Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Hyundai Motor has unveiled a hydrogen-powered bus for police as part of its efforts to promote public awareness of zero-emission buses, the company said Thursday.
The automaker had already introduced a hydrogen-powered city bus, but this is the first model with a large cargo space for police equipment and which is suitable for long-distance travel.
It comes a year after Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon proposed replacing police buses, especially those deployed around the government complex building and the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, with fuel-cell electric buses to promote the nation's hydrogen technology.
The latest release also is in line with the National Police Agency's plan to turn its entire bus fleet “green.”
According to the company, the bus can accommodate 29 people, including the driver. It has two 95-kilowatt fuel-cell stacks, which are used in Nexo's fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
The bus also has hydrogen tanks on the roof to provide enough room for passengers and cargo.
The carmaker said it plans to provide two hydrogen-powered police buses to the National Police Agency this year.
A test-run of the buses will be concluded by the end of next year, after which production will begin. The hydrogen-powered buses are set to hit the roads in 2021, according to Hyundai Motor.
The company also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Environment and the Korean National Police Agency over development and operation of hydrogen-powered police buses.
The government promised to buy 802 of the buses for the police force.
“We will continue to improve performance of hydrogen-powered electric buses based on data obtained during the test run,” a Hyundai Motor official said. “We will boost our capability to concentrate on developing the best buses for the police force.”
Using hydrogen buses for the police would help reduce particulate matter air pollution in the city center, the company said.