Hyundai Motor Company and Jeollabuk-do Strengthen Cooperation to Build a Hydrogen Ecosystem

Hyundai Motor Company is embarking on comprehensive cooperation across the hydrogen industry together with Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province.

On the 19th, Hyundai Motor and Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province announced that key officials, including Hyundai Motor CEO Jang Jae-hoon and Jeonbuk Governor Kim Kwan-young, attended the signing of the "Mutual Cooperation Agreement for Innovation in Jeonbuk's Hydrogen Industry" at the Jeonbuk Provincial Government building in Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si.

This agreement was reached with a shared commitment to establish an organic cooperative system spanning the entire hydrogen ecosystem?from production to utilization?based on Hyundai Motor's hydrogen technology and Jeonbuk Province's hydrogen industry infrastructure.

Since 2020, Hyundai Motor has actively collaborated with Jeonbuk Province to create a hydrogen ecosystem, including establishing the world's first mass production system for hydrogen commercial vehicles and Korea's first commercial vehicle hydrogen refueling station at the Hyundai Motor Jeonju plant, as well as supplying hydrogen electric buses on Jeonju city bus routes. Through this agreement, Hyundai Motor plans to further strengthen its hydrogen partnership with Jeonbuk Province.

CEO Jang stated, "We will strive to create a hydrogen ecosystem together with Jeonbuk Province by leveraging Hyundai Motor's hydrogen technology and eco-friendly mobility solutions." In response, Governor Kim said, "Through cooperation with Hyundai Motor, we will take the lead in revitalizing the regional economy and transitioning to eco-friendly energy."

Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor Company (right in the photo), and Kim Kwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Province, are holding the agreement and posing for a commemorative photo. Photo by Hyundai Motor Company

Through this agreement, Hyundai Motor and Jeonbuk Province will promote cooperative projects across the hydrogen industry, including ▲establishing a hydrogen refueling station within the Jeonbuk Provincial Government building ▲developing and demonstrating clean hydrogen production technology via water electrolysis ▲building an ammonia cracker testbed ▲distributing hydrogen forklifts and special-purpose vehicles within the province ▲and supplying fuel cell power generators.

First, Jeonbuk Province plans to promote the construction of a hydrogen refueling station within the provincial government building, aiming to start construction in 2026, to expand public consensus on the transition to a hydrogen society and the fostering of the hydrogen industry.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor will collaborate with Jeonbuk Province to develop and demonstrate clean hydrogen production technology linked to water electrolysis at the Buan Renewable Energy Complex, and actively cooperate in building a testbed for demonstrating ammonia-based clean hydrogen production technology, which is gaining attention as an economical and eco-friendly hydrogen carrier.

Additionally, they plan to foster organic cooperation across the hydrogen ecosystem by diversifying and expanding the supply of hydrogen mobility models such as hydrogen truck-based special-purpose vehicles and hydrogen forklifts, as well as supplying fuel cell power generators for buildings.