Hyundai partners with China's Skywell to supply hydrogen buses to Guangzhou
An 8.5-meter short-rear-overhang hydrogen fuel-cell bus jointly developed by Hyundai Motor Group's Chinese subsidiary HTWO Guangzhou and local commercial vehicle maker Skywell Group / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
Hyundai Motor Group said Tuesday it has partnered with Chinese commercial vehicle maker Skywell Group to supply jointly developed hydrogen-powered buses to Guangzhou Public Transport Group.
HTWO Guangzhou, Hyundai's hydrogen fuel-cell systems subsidiary in China, and Skywell jointly developed an 8.5-meter short-rear-overhang hydrogen fuel-cell bus and took part in the public transport operator's bid to procure 50 hydrogen buses, the group said in a press release.
The two companies won the bid to supply half of the 50 hydrogen buses this year, with the units set to begin public transport service within the year.
"The successful debut of this hydrogen bus marks a new stage of technical collaboration between Skywell Group and Hyundai Motor, and a pivotal step in bringing hydrogen transportation from technological breakthrough to market application," Skywell said in a separate release.
The companies plan to expand their partnership to hydrogen heavy-duty trucks, cold-chain logistics vehicles and other commercial applications, Skywell said.
Hyundai Motor Group completed its first overseas hydrogen fuel-cell system plant — with an annual capacity of 6,500 units — in Guangzhou in June 2023. The plant is wholly owned by the Korean automotive group.
The South Korean group said it aims to secure a leading position in China's hydrogen fuel-cell and hydrogen-powered vehicle markets through the HTWO plant.