Hyundai opens fuel cell plant in China

Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) completed the construction of its first overseas hydrogen fuel cell production base in Guangzhou, China, with the aim of capturing the Chinese hydrogen market, according to the company, Thursday.

HTWO Guangzhou covers an area of 200,000 square meters and includes a stack factory, activation factory, research center, and office building and innovation center, with a total area of 82,000 square meters. The facility has an annual production capacity of 6,500 hydrogen fuel cell systems. HTWO is Hyundai Motor Group’s hydrogen fuel cell system brand, launched in 2020.

HMG plans to utilize hydrogen fuel cell systems as power sources in various mobility and industrial sectors to achieve carbon neutrality. HTWO Guangzhou is the group’s first hydrogen fuel cell system factory established overseas. The company intends to manufacture and sell hydrogen fuel cell systems at HTWO Guangzhou, gradually increasing the supply volume based on the Chinese market and government policies. HMG expects HTWO Guangzhou to play a crucial role in expanding cooperation and business in China’s hydrogen industry.

At the completion ceremony, Hyundai Motor Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Guangdong Province and Guangzhou City, agreeing to supply 1,500 hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles, including trucks and cleaning vehicles, to stateowned enterprises in the province by 2024.

“HTWO Guangzhou will operate as an eco-friendly, smart and safety-focused factory. Hyundai Motor Group’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with outstanding Chinese companies to contribute to the high-quality development of the hydrogen industry in China and Guangdong Province, as well as the achievement of carbon neutrality,” Hyundai Motor CEO Chang Jae-hoon said.

China has set ambitious goals for its hydrogen industry, aiming to deploy 1 million hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2035. The country has introduced various policies to reduce carbon emissions and transition to environmentally friendly energy. In September 2020, China presented the “dual carbon” goal, targeting carbon emissions peaking by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 at the 75th United Nations General Assembly.