Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Hyundai Motor expands hydrogen value chain in US
Hyundai Motor’s XCIENT Fuel Cell truck is displayed at an event venue for this year’s Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas, Wednesday. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
By Lee Min-hyung
Hyundai Motor is on track to advance its hydrogen value chain in the United States, focusing on logistics and transportation to consolidate its footing in future mobility powered by the sustainable energy source, the carmaker said Wednesday.
The company displayed the vision during this year’s Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas where the company also unveiled an enhancement concept for its XCIENT Fuel Cell truck.
Under the hydrogen roadmap shared at the fair, the Korean carmaker will supply North America with not just hydrogen-fueled vehicles, but also the energy source.
The company is also moving to build a more complete hydrogen mobility value chain encompassing maintenance for eco-friendly cars and relevant charging stations.
The carmaker is set to equip Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia with eco-friendly HTWO logistics solutions. HTWO is Hyundai Motor Group’s hydrogen fuel cell system brand launched in 2020.
The brand aims to sell more than 700,000 hydrogen fuel cell systems by 2030. Specifically, the carmaker will supply its XCIENT hydrogen trucks to transport vehicles and parts to the factory.
“Our HTWO brand’s expanding role reflects our unique reach beyond mobility into an integrated hydrogen value chain to lead the global energy transition,” Ken Ramirez, executive vice president and head of the global commercial vehicle and hydrogen business at Hyundai Motor, said during a press conference on the sidelines of the event.
“We are like no other energy company with roots deeply grounded in mobility,” he said. “Our mission has always been clear: leverage our strength in both mobility and energy sectors to realize our vision for a hydrogen society.”
Hyundai Motor already maintains a strong hydrogen footing in the U.S.
The company engages in the NorCAL ZERO project under which it provides its hydrogen electric vehicles for zero-emission freight transportation to some regions in San Francisco. Last year it provided 30 XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks to its U.S. freight transportation business partner.
Such moves are seen as part of the group’s key strategy unveiled at this year’s CES tech trade show when the group’s Executive Chair Chung Euisun underscored the company's vision for the hydrogen business, even if it does not generate any immediate and outstanding returns for the company. Chung said that the era of hydrogen-based mobility is for the benefit of the next generation, not the current one.