Hyundai Motor has pledged to strengthen technological collaborations, better understand the challenges it faces, and collect and publish independent validation data demonstrating fuel cell lithium-ion battery technology and hydrogen energy infrastructure under real-world operating conditions.
As part of the collaboration, Hyundai Motor will supply five NEXO fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to the U.S. Department of Energy for use across the United States, including Washington, D.C., to help advance the development of fuel cell lithium-ion battery technology. In addition, Hyundai Motor will collect, analyze, and publish data on the NEXO vehicles and infrastructure to identify any additional research needs in key areas such as technological durability, performance, and reliability. Such activities may also provide support for training and workforce development programs.
In addition to supporting the U.S. federal government's development of fuel cell lithium-ion battery technology, Hyundai will also fund the installation of a hydrogen refueling station in Washington, D.C., this fall. The station was developed in the Department of Energy's H-Prize H2Refuel competition.
In 2019, Hyundai supplied the first NEXO SUV to the U.S. Department of Energy. Another five NEXO fuel cell vehicles will be supplied to the Department of Energy to accelerate the application of hydrogen fuel cell lithium batteries in various fields, including in cooperation with U.S. Department of Energy partners such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and other agencies and stakeholders.
Hyundai's collaboration with the U.S. federal government on hydrogen fuel cell lithium-ion battery technology dates back to 2004, when Hyundai and Kia supplied 33 fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) for the U.S. Department of Energy's Controlled Hydrogen Fleet and Infrastructure Demonstration and Validation Project. From 2012 to 2017, Hyundai participated in the U.S. Department of Energy's FCEV validation program, which aimed to help validate the performance of emerging hydrogen and fuel cell lithium-ion battery technologies.
In December 2018, the Hyundai Group, including Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, along with auto parts manufacturer Hyundai Mobis, announced its long-term roadmap, "FuelCellVision 2030," reaffirming its commitment to accelerating the realization of a hydrogen fuel cell society by leveraging its global leadership in lithium-ion battery technology. As part of this plan, the Hyundai Motor Group aims to increase its annual production of lithium-ion battery systems to 700,000 units by 2030.
In 2017, Hyundai became one of the 13 founding members of the Hydrogen Council, which has since grown into a global alliance with 81 leading energy, transportation, and industrial companies sharing a common long-term vision to drive the transition to clean hydrogen energy. Chung, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Group, was appointed Co-Chair of the Hydrogen Council in January 2019 and is helping to accelerate significant investments in the development and commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell lithium-ion batteries. Chung encourages key stakeholders worldwide to increase their support for hydrogen through policies and support programs, making it an integral part of the future energy mix.
On the same day, the US Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) and H2Korea (a secret South Korean government agency promoting hydrogen integration) signed a memorandum of understanding at FCHEA's office in Washington, D.C., to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and promote the development of the global hydrogen economy. FCHEA President Morry Markowitz and H2Korea Chairman Jae-do Moon agreed to exchange hydrogen energy technologies, launch joint policies, and establish organizations to promote and expand international cooperation in the hydrogen industry.
