Hyundai Motor Co.’s hydrogen charging station at a highway rest stop in Anseong, 77 km south of Seoul. (image: Hyundai Motor)
SEOUL, April 21 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s hydrogen fuel cell system technology, the so-called the ‘heart’ of hydrogen cars, is entering the American and European markets.
This is the first time for South Korea to export the technology.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy approved Hyundai Motor Co.’s technology export of a hydrogen fuel cell system for hydrogen cars on Monday.
Currently, the country designates 69 technologies, including the hydrogen fuel cell system, as national core technologies.
In order to export a national core technology, companies must first obtain approval from the government in accordance with relevant legislation.
The hydrogen fuel cell system uses hydrogen to generate electricity, and works as the ‘engine’ of a hydrogen vehicle.
The system’s design and assembly methods are at the forefront of current technology, owned only by Hyundai Motor, Toyota, and a few others.
The technology is expected to jump in technological and economical value once demand for hydrogen cars expands.
Hyundai Motor plans to use the motor technology from Cummins, an American diesel engine manufacturer, to supply core parts of hydrogen vehicles, such as the hydrogen fuel cells and motors, to the U.S. car market.
The company has also received approval to export hydrogen fuel cell technology to a European car manufacturer, laying a path for Hyundai to take the lead in the European fuel cells market.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
