South Korea’s leading automaker, Hyundai Motor Group, is intensifying efforts to gain a technological advantage in green hydrogen, recognizing its growing role as a key component in the global energy transition, according to a report by Pulse, the English-language outlet of Maeil Business News Korea.
During a session at the APEC CEO Summit held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, on Thursday, Vice Chairman Chang Jae-hoon elaborated on Hyundai’s hydrogen strategy in a discussion with Ivana Jemelkova, CEO of the Hydrogen Council.
“As the world’s energy system shifts toward sustainable sources, hydrogen is emerging as a crucial driver of change,” Chang said, as quoted by the report. “It helps overcome the intermittency of renewable energy and improves efficiency, thereby speeding up the path toward carbon neutrality.”
Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced without emitting carbon dioxide.
Chang also presented Hyundai’s hydrogen production roadmap. “By 2029, Hyundai Motor plans to develop 5MW-class polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysis mass-production technology on Jeju Island and strengthen its green hydrogen production capabilities through a large-scale demonstration project,” the report noted.
The group has already started using its XCIENT hydrogen-electric trucks to transport export vehicles and has partnered with Incheon International Airport Corp. to convert airport commercial and special-purpose vehicles to eco-friendly hydrogen power, while simultaneously expanding its hydrogen infrastructure.
“We believe that creating demand and ensuring supply must progress together,” said Chang. “That’s why Hyundai is taking bold initiatives on both sides. Building a hydrogen ecosystem isn’t something a single company can achieve—it requires collective effort.”
The report added that Chang highlighted the need for long-term collaboration between governments and industries to turn early initiatives and innovations into meaningful, scalable results across the hydrogen value chain.
“Hyundai Motor Group will take the lead in working with global partners to speed up the shift toward a hydrogen-based society,” Chang concluded.
