Hyundai Motor Group Showcases Hydrogen Technologies Across the Value Chain at World Hydrogen Expo in Korea

Hyundai Motor Group showcased its latest hydrogen innovations at the World Hydrogen Expo 2024, held from December 4–7, reaffirming its position as a global leader in hydrogen technology. Korea’s largest hydrogen industry exhibition brought together over 250 companies from more than 25 countries under the theme ‘Hydrogen Pioneers: Innovate, Unite, Accelerate.’

The Expo, held for the first time following the combination of the annual H2MEET exhibition and the conference, is supported by four government ministries¹. Held at KINTEX 2 in Goyang, Korea, it is expected to attract 40,000 attendees, including industry leaders and the general public. The event underscores the country’s growing prominence as a global hydrogen hub and the Group’s central role in advancing the transition to clean energy.

“With the rapid increase in power demand driven by the spread of AI, expanding renewable energy is essential. Hydrogen offers the most powerful solution to store and utilize renewable energy, complementing its intermittency and enhancing overall efficiency,” said Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group. “By converting surplus electricity into hydrogen, we can ease the burden on power grids and make energy systems more flexible. Hydrogen is the ultimate game changer for the future energy transition,” he added.

Hydrogen, Beyond Mobility, New Energy for Society

Through its affiliates Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, Hyundai Steel Company, Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. (Hyundai E&C), Hyundai Engineering Co., Hyundai Glovis Co. and Hyundai-Rotem Co., the Group is showcasing innovative hydrogen technologies under the Group’s dedicated hydrogen brand and business platform HTWO.

The Group’s booth features various technologies, many of which are being unveiled for the first time (marked below as “NEW”). These innovations span the hydrogen value chain and are categorized under Production, Storage & Refueling, Mobility, and Industrial Application. These advancements reflect the Group’s commitment to driving sustainable energy innovation and scaling hydrogen applications across industries.

Production: The Group is advancing diverse hydrogen production technologies to enhance energy efficiency and resilience. At the Expo, interactive displays provide visitors with an intuitive understanding of production processes. Highlights include:

• PEM Electrolysis: The Group’s new hydrogen fuel cell production plant in Ulsan will produce high-efficiency polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers as first production in Korea. Also, the Group is building 1 MW-scale electrolysis-based production sites in Buan and Boryeong. A collaboration with the Jeju government aims to develop 500 MW-scale mass production technology by 2029, with plans for a 1 GW electrolysis facility in the Southwest region.
• Waste-to-Hydrogen (W2H): Innovative projects in Cheongju and Paju convert organic waste into hydrogen, tailored to meet local hydrogen demand. The Group is also leading its first overseas W2H ecosystem project in Indonesia.
• *NEW* Ammonia Cracker: A large-scale hydrogen extraction technology with a production capacity of 640 kg/day², currently in design and demonstration in collaboration with Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province.

Storage & Refueling: The Group’s advanced hydrogen storage and refueling technologies aim to expand infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and simplify deployment. Highlights include:

• *NEW* Second generation 700-bar Mobile Hydrogen Refueling Station (HRS): Hyundai Motor developed Korea’s first mobile hydrogen refueling station (HRS). The flexible and scalable 350-bar mobile HRS is currently operating in Jeju to supply green hydrogen. A second generation 700-bar mobile HRS is exhibited at the event, mounted on a XCIENT Fuel Cell Tractor.
• *NEW* Packaged HRS Concept: Debuting a modularized, simpler and more space efficient HRS concept, enhancing urban deployment feasibility with multi-level and underground technologies.
• *NEW* Automatic Charging Robot-Hydrogen (ACR-H): A state-of-the-art refueling robot developed by the Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics LAB, leveraging advanced AI technology to automate the entire process from vehicle recognition to refueling fuel cell electrified vehicles (FCEVs) such as the NEXO.
• *NEW* Liquid Hydrogen Storage System: A mock-up demonstrating large-scale hydrogen storage as liquid at temperatures under -253°C, ensuring safe and efficient energy supply for industrial and commercial use.

Mobility: The Group is showcasing a wide array of hydrogen-powered mobility solutions, from passenger and commercial vehicles to groundbreaking applications across various industries. Highlights include:

• Passenger Vehicle: The all-new NEXO
• Commercial Vehicles:
  • *NEW* Universe Fuel Cell Hydrogen Bus product enhancement model
  • XCIENT Fuel Cell electric heavy-duty truck with new V-shaped radiator grille design
• Innovations Beyond Conventional Vehicles:
  • *NEW* Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) powered by hydrogen fuel cell used in port logistics, enhancing operational efficiency with advanced hydrogen fuel cell systems.
  • Hydrogen fuel cell tram powered by a flat-type fuel cell system, set to be deployed in Ulsan and Daejeon cities, Korea — soon to become the world’s longest catenary-free tram route.
  • Kia has developed a hydrogen-powered ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) designed for demanding and specialized environments. The Group also introduced R&D projects focused on advancing hydrogen-powered mobility for special-purpose use cases. By leveraging HTWO’s hydrogen value chain, the Group aims to enhance energy resilience and support sustainable mobility solutions.
• Expanding Fuel Cell System Applications:
  • Hydrogen-powered equipment — a hydrogen fuel cell boat, a hydrogen fuel cell agricultural tractor, and a hydrogen fuel cell forklift — all utilizing the Group’s fuel cell technology.

Industrial Application: The Group’s innovative hydrogen technologies extend beyond mobility, showcasing the versatility of hydrogen in industrial applications. Highlights include:

• *NEW* Mobile Power Generator: A mock-up mobile power generator, equipped with swappable hydrogen storage modules, capable of replacing hydrogen storage tank using an internal crane, reducing downtime and improving efficiency.
• *NEW* Hydrogen Burner: An eco-friendly system developed by Hyundai Motor utilizes heat generated from burning a hydrogen-air mixture. The burners are applied to paint ovens at Hyundai Motor’s Ulsan automobile plant and will be gradually expanded to other high-temperature processes and production sites worldwide.
• 100kW Fuel Cell Power Generator: A power generator developed by Hyundai Motor, leveraging the fast start-up and agile power control capabilities of the engine-type fuel cell system. 100 kW hydrogen fuel cell generators will be introduced and operated at Kia and Hyundai Glovis facilities in Pyeongtaek Port.

Hyundai Motor Group’s Interactive Engagements at World Hydrogen Expo

The Group goes beyond exhibition by offering a range of interactive activities at the Expo, aiming to engage visitors directly and showcase the future of a hydrogen-based society in a tangible and impactful way.

As part of the Expo, the Group is set to host the HTWO Award Ceremony, honoring six transportation industry representatives who have made significant contributions to the expansion of hydrogen electrified commercial vehicles. The recipients are recognized for their efforts in expanding introduction of hydrogen-powered buses, trucks and refueling stations, which are key to accelerating the transition to a hydrogen-based mobility ecosystem.

In addition, the Group will offer an exclusive Test Drive Program for Hyundai Motor’s FCEV, The all-new NEXO, running from December 5 to December 7. Registered participants will have the unique opportunity to experience NEXO’s advanced design, spacious interior, and outstanding driving firsthand performance. The 30-minute drive along a 15-kilometer route highlights the vehicle’s cutting-edge capabilities and reinforces Hyundai’s leadership in hydrogen mobility, providing an immersive experience that brings hydrogen mobility to life.

Complementing these activities, the Group will also host the Hydrogen Academy, an educational program designed to deepen visitors’ understanding of Hyundai Motor Group’s hydrogen business. Led by executives and experts from the Group affiliates, this program offers attendees an exclusive opportunity to learn about the Group’s hydrogen technologies, current business developments, and future vision, fostering broader engagement and knowledge sharing within the hydrogen community.