Czech Hydrogen Bus Runs with Hyundai Motor's 'Simjang' Heart

Hyundai Motor and Skoda Electric Collaborate to Establish Hydrogen Ecosystem in Czech Republic
Cooperation on Developing Hydrogen Buses and Trucks Using Fuel Cell Systems

Hyundai Motor Company announced on the 20th that it has decided to collaborate with Skoda Electric, a subsidiary of the Czech Skoda Group, in various fields utilizing hydrogen technologies such as fuel cells.

On the same day in Prague, Czech Republic, the two companies signed a cooperation agreement for "hydrogen economy and the creation of a sustainable future mobility ecosystem." The signing ceremony was attended by Ken Ramirez, Vice President of Hyundai Motor's Global Commercial and Hydrogen Business Division, Jaromir Silhanek, CEO of Skoda Electric, and others.

Skoda Electric is one of the subsidiaries of the Czech Republic's representative company Skoda Group, established in 1895. It develops and manufactures eco-friendly transportation means. Centered in Eastern Europe, it sells electric propulsion and control systems used in electric trolleybuses, hydrogen buses, and other eco-friendly vehicles, as well as buses, trams, and locomotives.

Park Cheol-yeon, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor Global Hydrogen Business Division; Ken Ramirez, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Global Commercial & Hydrogen Business Headquarters; Ahn Deok-geun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Jozef S?kela, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic; Petr Novotn?, CEO of ?koda Group; and Jarom?r Silh?nek, CEO of ?koda Electric, are posing for a commemorative photo after the signing ceremony on the 20th.
[Photo by Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry]

Through this collaboration, the two companies plan to integrate their technologies and products. Specifically, they will cooperate on hydrogen fuel cell systems and related technologies. They aim to create a hydrogen ecosystem and build a value chain by exploring ways to efficiently utilize mobility means and expanding into other industries. There is also a possibility that Skoda Electric will use Hyundai's hydrogen fuel cell systems to manufacture mobility solutions.

The Czech Republic has been implementing a national plan for eco-friendly mobility since 2020 to establish a sustainable transportation system and reduce environmental impact. The plan includes deploying up to 50,000 hydrogen electric vehicles by 2030 and increasing the number of hydrogen charging stations to 12 by 2025 and 40 by 2030. Currently, there are only six hydrogen charging stations in the Czech Republic.

Hyundai Motor Czech Factory
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

In 2022, Hyundai Motor signed a multilateral agreement with 13 local companies and institutions, including the local hydrogen association HYTEP, Hyundai Glovis, Czech Zibra Group, and Orlen Unipetrol, to build a hydrogen mobility ecosystem in the Czech Republic. After unveiling its hydrogen business brand H2 (HTWO) last year, Hyundai has been expanding its hydrogen business worldwide, including in Indonesia and the United States.

Ken Ramirez, Vice President of Hyundai Motor, said, "We will work closely with Skoda Electric to contribute to the Czech Republic's carbon neutrality," adding, "We will lead the hydrogen industry by creating positive synergy between Hyundai's fuel cell technology and Skoda Electric's mobility."