Gumi-si Opens Gyeongbuk's First Liquefied Hydrogen Refueling Station... Capable of Refueling 120 Hydrogen Buses Daily

Opening of Seongidong Hydrogen Refueling Station near Bukgumi IC on the 7th

Commercialization of Hydrogen Buses and Establishment of Eco-friendly Public Transportation System

On the 7th, Gumi City in Gyeongbuk Province held an opening ceremony for Seongidong Hydrogen Charging Station, the first liquefied hydrogen charging station in Gyeongbuk, and officially began its operation.

The opening ceremony was attended by about 60 people, including Seo Heung-won, head of the Daegu Regional Environmental Office, Lee Dong-wook, head of the Climate and Environment Policy Division of Gyeongbuk Province, So Yoo-seop, Vice President of SK Innovation E&S, Kim Min-ho, CEO of SK Plug Hybus, representatives from Hyundai Motor Company, a hydrogen bus manufacturer, transportation company representatives, and leading carbon-neutral companies.

Liquefied hydrogen is hydrogen gas cooled to minus 253 degrees Celsius to become liquid, allowing for large-capacity storage and transportation compared to gaseous hydrogen, enabling rapid charging.

Seongidong Hydrogen Charging Station is the first liquefied hydrogen charging station in the Gyeongbuk area. SK Plug Hybus was selected in 2022 for the Ministry of Environment's private capital subsidy project for hydrogen electric vehicle charging station installation, and the station was built with a total project cost of 7.5 billion KRW (4.2 billion KRW from the national government and 3.3 billion KRW from SK Plug Hybus). It can charge 120 kg of hydrogen per hour, allowing about 120 hydrogen buses to use it daily on average.

After three months of trial operation, Seongidong Charging Station, having completed preparations for stable operation, supports the smooth operation of 31 hydrogen buses (13 city buses and 18 charter buses) newly introduced this year, leading the eco-friendly transition of local public transportation.

A citizen who used the hydrogen bus expressed satisfaction, saying, "The hydrogen bus is quiet inside and has less vibration, making it comfortable."

Gumi City plans to introduce 31 hydrogen buses this year and add about 30 more by the end of the year. In addition to the Seongidong Charging Station and the Okgae Charging Station opened in 2022, additional hydrogen charging stations will be established in Otaedong (near Namgumi IC) and Gongdan-dong. This demonstrates Gumi City's commitment to expanding hydrogen vehicle adoption and charging infrastructure in the region.

Mayor Kim Jang-ho said, "Hydrogen buses are eco-friendly transportation that emit no air pollutants during driving and only emit water through fuel cell use," adding, "With the opening of the Seongidong Charging Station, we will strive to expand eco-friendly transportation and lay the foundation for achieving carbon neutrality."

As of the end of October, a total of 159 hydrogen vehicles are registered in Gumi City. When purchasing a hydrogen passenger car, buyers can receive subsidies of 32.5 million KRW and tax reductions. Subsidy applications for hydrogen passenger cars are handled by hydrogen vehicle manufacturers and sellers, so buyers only need to sign the contract. For inquiries related to hydrogen vehicle purchases, contact the Environmental Policy Division of Gumi City.