Hyundai Motor said on Wednesday that it started exporting its in-house hydrogen fuel cell system to a European energy solution startup and Switzerland-based GRZ Technologies Ltd. The move came as the South Korean carmaker aims to expand its hydrogen business to the non-automotive industry.
GRZ Technologies Ltd. and the European startup would utilize Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel system in developing mobile emergency power generators.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Hyundai’s export anticipates growth in 2022 after completing a one-year performance test. The government further identified the hydrogen fuel technology of Hyundai as one of the country’s core technologies. Following President Moon Jae-in’s green New Deal initiative in promoting hydrogen fuel cell systems, the Ministry approved the exportation in July.
Promote Korea’s Superior Hydrogen Technologies
The Ministry said that the mass exports of the system would happen sometime in 2022. It said that it would also provide full support to companies that develop different fuel cell vehicles and the commercialization of hydrogen vehicles for export.
GRZ Technologies boasts its metal hybrid technology for storing hydrogen. The company created a hydrogen storage tank that stores ten times more hydrogen with a lower pressure of below 30. Currently, the company also develops hybrid absorption analysis systems and metal hybrid compressors.
Hyundai Motor and GRZ Technologies started their collaboration for hydrogen storage technology in October 2019. The export trading provided an excellent opportunity to promote Korea’s superior hydrogen technologies in Europe. The deal commenced after the European Union Commission revealed its hydrogen economy policy in July to reduce carbon emissions.
Last year, Hyundai Motor ranked first worldwide in sales with its Nexo hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle. The Nexo, which sold 4,987 units last year, also sold 3,292 units within the first half of this year. Hyundai also manufactured and exported 30-ton hydrogen-electric trucks to Europe for the first time.
Hyundai aims to expand its sales network of the hydrogen fuel system globally, including China and the US.
Earlier, the carmaker stated that it intends to manufacture up to 700,000 fuel cell systems on a yearly basis. The fuel cell systems target non-automotive sectors like rail vehicles, drones, power generation, and passenger vehicles by 2030.
