Hyundai Motor Company is laying the groundwork for its North American hydrogen commercial vehicle market expansion by seeking hydrogen business opportunities with U.S. federal departments and global hydrogen companies at the largest hydrogen industry seminar in North America.
Hyundai announced on the 9th that it participated in the ‘2023 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Seminar’ held at the Long Beach Convention Center in California from March 7 to 9 (local time).
The ‘Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Seminar’ is the largest hydrogen industry-related event in North America, organized by the U.S. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association with support from the U.S. government, boasting over 40 years of history.
This year, Korea has been selected as the first special guest country for the seminar, which offered opportunities such as setting up a special promotion booth, hosting special sessions for guest countries, and holding a ‘Korea-U.S. Hydrogen Public and Private Roundtable’.
During the ‘Korea-U.S. Hydrogen Public and Private Roundtable’ held on the 8th, Hyundai strengthened partnerships with various hydrogen-related organizations, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, and the California state government, exploring cooperative ways for both sides to generate synergy in technology development and the local hydrogen value chain.
They raised queries regarding incentive policies related to clean energy areas such as hydrogen and emphasized the need for support from the U.S. government in expanding demonstration projects for hydrogen commercial vehicles and fuel cell distribution.
Attendees at the ‘Korea-U.S. Hydrogen Public and Private Roundtable’ included U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy Jeff Marootian (nominee), U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Industry Analysis Grant Harris, California’s ZEV Market Development Chief Gia Bae Shin, President of the U.S. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association Frank Wolak, along with Korea’s Director of Hydrogen Economy Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Lee Ok-heon, and President of the World Hydrogen Association, Moon Jae-do.
On the 9th, during the ‘Special Guest Country Session’, Hyundai presented the ‘California Port Eco-Friendly Truck Introduction Demonstration Project,’ which involves supplying 30 units of Xcient hydrogen fuel cell trucks to the Port of Oakland, and plans to propose participation in hydrogen commercial vehicle demonstration projects to other state governments.
Hyundai Motor Company was selected last September in the ‘TAG (Targeted Airshed Grants) program’ organized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is set to supply five units of Xcient hydrogen fuel cell trucks to replace existing diesel trucks used for hydrogen transportation this coming second half of the year.
During the event, Hyundai showcased the North American version of the Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck tractor in the Korea promotional booth and also provided information on the ‘Resource Recycling Hydrogen Production Concept’.
The North American version of the Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck tractor is equipped with a 180kW hydrogen fuel cell system and a driving motor with a maximum output of 350kW, capable of traveling up to 720 km on a single hydrogen charge of 68 kg.
Hyundai’s ‘Resource Recycling Hydrogen Production Concept’ aims to establish a waste-to-energy hydrogen production system using biogas derived from organic waste such as food scraps, livestock manure, and sewage sludge, promoting the development of a clean hydrogen ecosystem by applying it across various fields, including transportation, industry, buildings, and power generation. Hyundai Motor Group is currently conducting demonstration projects in Korea, such as in Chungju City, and is considering expansion into overseas markets like China and the U.S.
Furthermore, Hyundai Motor Group is reviewing an integrated hydrogen energy business model that encompasses the entire hydrogen value chain, including production through the ‘Resource Recycling Hydrogen Production Concept,’ future reforming/capture (CCUS), storage and transportation, supply, and utilization.
An official from Hyundai stated, “We plan to closely cooperate with the government to maximize the benefits of various provisions outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), such as expanding the tax credit for commercial eco-friendly vehicles, and expect to have many practical opportunities to visualize hydrogen sector collaboration through high-level meetings with relevant organizations and companies like the U.S. Department of Energy.”
Hyundai established the world’s first mass production system for hydrogen fuel cell trucks in 2020, and by June 2022, exported 47 Xcient hydrogen fuel cell trucks to 23 customers in Switzerland. As of January 2023, the vehicles supplied to Switzerland have surpassed a cumulative mileage of 5.7 million km. This record is a global first for mass-produced large hydrogen fuel cell trucks, demonstrating the reliability and eco-friendliness of the Xcient hydrogen fuel cell trucks.
Last August, Hyundai decided to supply 27 units of Xcient hydrogen fuel cell trucks to seven customers in Germany, linking it with the eco-friendly commercial vehicle subsidy support project of the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport of Germany, commencing phased deliveries from late last year.
Hyundai plans to continue expanding its global supply network, starting with the North American commercial vehicle market, including the launch of the Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck tractor model in the first half of this year.
According to a report released by global consulting firm McKinsey in April 2021 titled ‘The U.S. Hydrogen Economy Roadmap,’ hydrogen is expected to account for up to 14% of energy demand in the U.S. by 2050, potentially reducing U.S. carbon emissions by around 16%.
The U.S. Department of Energy also launched the ‘Hydrogen Energy Earthshot’ project in June 2021, revealing its goal to cut the cost of clean hydrogen production to $1 per kilogram within the next decade and is pushing various support measures such as expanding research and development funding related to hydrogen production and supporting demonstration projects.
The U.S. government is providing various incentives across the hydrogen business, including new tax credits for hydrogen infrastructure, hydrogen production, and hydrogen vehicles through the Inflation Reduction Act, and from this year onwards, it is planned to allocate over $9 billion towards developing hydrogen hubs across the country under the ‘Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment Act’.
By SangJin Lee daedusj@autodairy.kr