Hyundai Motor said on the 2nd that cumulative domestic sales of its eco-friendly hydrogen electric buses totaled 3,062 units as of the end of last month.
Hyundai Motor began hydrogen-related research and development (R&D) in 1998 and has built up competitiveness in hydrogen mobility technology. Based on this, it launched the world's first city hydrogen electric bus, "Elec City FCEV," in 2019 and unveiled the high-speed hydrogen electric bus, "Universe FCEV," in 2023.
Hyundai Motor's hydrogen electric buses surpassed 1,000 units in 2024, 2,000 units last year, and passed 3,000 units last month. A Hyundai Motor official said, "As market demand for hydrogen electric buses expands across various segments such as city buses and commuter buses, the strong commitment of each local government to supply hydrogen buses has added to the results."
Elec City FCEV is equipped with a 180 kW Hydrogen Fuel Cell system, and Universe FCEV is equipped with a 180 kW Hydrogen Fuel Cell system. The maximum driving ranges of these buses are 751.2 km and 960.4 km, respectively.
Hyundai Motor Group is also expanding the introduction of hydrogen buses within the group to broaden hydrogen mobility. It is currently operating a total of 74 hydrogen electric commuter buses at business sites nationwide, and plans to introduce 55 more this year. In particular, Hyundai Motor has set a goal to convert all commuter buses to hydrogen electric buses by 2030.
In addition, Hyundai Motor plans to continue expanding its commercial electrification after-sales service hubs to more than 40 locations in step with the wider adoption of hydrogen electric buses.
Policies and infrastructure development to expand the supply of hydrogen buses are also continuing. This year's national subsidies for hydrogen electric buses are budgeted for a total of 1,800 units. A total of 80 large-capacity hydrogen refueling stations capable of fueling hydrogen buses are currently in operation, and 21 more are scheduled to be added this year.
A Hyundai Motor official said, "We will lead the eco-friendly commercial vehicle market by expanding the supply of hydrogen electric buses in Korea," adding, "We will continue our efforts to spread the hydrogen mobility ecosystem going forward."