Ulsan Launches Nation’s First Pilot Operation of Hydrogen Electric Tractor Freight Transport

Strengthening Ulsan’s Status as a Leading Hydrogen City
Seven Public and Private Entities Sign Agreement
Accelerating the Transition to Zero-Emission Heavy-Duty Logistics

For the first time in the country, large hydrogen electric tractors powered by hydrogen fuel cells will begin full-scale pilot operations in Ulsan.

As the pace of the transition to carbon neutrality accelerates, this is expected to further cement Ulsan’s status as a leading “hydrogen city.”

On December 2, the Ulsan city government held a “Zero-Emission Hydrogen Electric Tractor Freight Transport Demonstration Vehicle Delivery Ceremony” at the No. 4 riverside area of Taehwagang National Garden in Nam-gu, marking the first step toward building an eco-friendly logistics system.

More than 100 people attended the event, including Ulsan Mayor Kim Dukyum, as well as representatives from Hyundai Motor Company, CJ Logistics, Hyundai Glovis, and Lotte Global Logistics, among others from the logistics and transportation sectors.

During the event, a public-private business agreement was signed to verify real-world driving conditions for hydrogen electric tractors and to develop operational technologies.

The agreement involved seven parties: Ulsan city, Hyundai Motor Company, Ulsan Technopark, Ulsan Urban Corporation, CJ Logistics, Hyundai Glovis, and Lotte Global Logistics. Ulsan city will provide policy support, while Ulsan Urban Corporation will be responsible for the hydrogen city development project and hydrogen pipeline infrastructure. Hyundai Motor Company will develop and supply the demonstration vehicles, and Ulsan Technopark will oversee demonstration operations and analyze carbon reduction. The three logistics companies have agreed to cooperate in transitioning to an eco-friendly logistics system through vehicle operation.

This pilot project is a regionally specialized initiative linked to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s “Hydrogen City Development Project.” It is a practical attempt to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases in areas with concentrated freight transport, such as industrial complexes, ports, and logistics centers. Conventional internal combustion engine heavy-duty trucks are known to emit over 150 times more fine dust than passenger cars, and the need for an eco-friendly transition has been consistently raised. Electric freight trucks have been deemed unsuitable for large-scale logistics due to limitations in charging time and driving range, making hydrogen electric tractors-which offer shorter charging times and longer ranges-a promising alternative.

A total of three vehicles will be deployed for the demonstration.

CJ Logistics will operate on the Ulsan-Changwon route, Hyundai Glovis on the Ulsan-Busan and Ulsan-Yangsan routes, and Lotte Global Logistics on the Ulsan-Busan route, with each company covering 40,000 kilometers per year. Over four years, they will transport actual cargo such as containers, auto parts, and parcels, collecting demonstration data.

The newly developed hydrogen electric tractor from Hyundai Motor Company is equipped with a 350 kW high-efficiency motor, a 188 kW fuel cell stack, and a 72 kW high-voltage battery. The hydrogen tank has a capacity of 68 kg (700 bar), enabling a range of approximately 760 kilometers on a single charge. The vehicle will also be used for regulatory exemption demonstrations to facilitate the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s relaxation of length regulations.

The Ulsan city government expects this demonstration to serve as a turning point for the domestic hydrogen commercial vehicle market. In particular, replacing diesel trucks-which are considered the main source of pollution in port areas-with hydrogen electric tractors is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 70 tons per vehicle annually, contributing to port decarbonization.

Mayor Kim Dukyum stated, “Ulsan will become the starting point for the transition to zero-emission vehicles in the domestic heavy-duty truck market. The introduction and demonstration of hydrogen electric tractors will act as a catalyst for the expansion of eco-friendly logistics and the development of the hydrogen economy, and the city will spare no effort in providing support.”

A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport official commented, “As the Hydrogen City Development Project becomes more closely linked with policies from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, local governments, and corporate activities, it will generate even greater synergy. We hope that this demonstration will lead to the introduction of diverse hydrogen mobility solutions and contribute to achieving carbon neutrality.”

Last year, Ulsan was selected for the Hydrogen City Development Project, securing a total of 29.5 billion won, including 14.75 billion won in national funding. The city plans to complete the construction of the Ulsan-style hydrogen city in the Buk-gu district and the Ulsan Mipo National Industrial Complex by 2028.