Toyota and Hyundai Explore New Hydrogen Collaboration
Toyota Motor Corporation and Hyundai Motor Group have announced plans to explore opportunities for collaboration in the development and production of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
This collaboration follows closely behind Toyota’s recent venture with BMW and marks another significant step in the global push towards hydrogen mobility.
Toyota’s Chairman, Chung Euisun, is set to travel to Seoul to meet Hyundai representatives, with the two automotive leaders discussing the potential for hydrogen vehicle development in key global markets.
Toyota and Hyundai made significant contributions to the hydrogen industry, with Toyota handling transportation during the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The move comes on the heels of Hyundai’s recent success, its fuel cell-powered XCIENT truck, equipped with an Allison Transmission system, delivered over 100,000 packages for GLS Germany.
The heavy-duty truck, powered by a 180kW hydrogen fuel cell system, showcased the feasibility of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty logistics.
Toyota and Hyundai remain committed to the hydrogen vision
In parallel, Toyota has strengthened through a joint venture between its European arm, Toyota Tsusho Europe (TTESA), and Messer Group. The JV, SympH2ony, provides green hydrogen production and supply for Toyota’s fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
Despite a recent decline in global hydrogen vehicle sales – down 34% in the first half of 2024, according to SNE Research – both automakers remain committed to the hydrogen vision. Hyundai’s NEXO sold 1,836 units in the first half of this year, while Toyota’s Mirai saw 1,284 units sold.
Market analysts suggest slow growth is due to a lack of new FCEV models and insufficient hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. However, Toyota and Hyundai continue to push forward with their plans.
Toyota recently announced the construction of a hydrogen fuel cell facility in Beijing, and Hyundai plans to establish a hydrogen innovation centre at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Chennai.
Toyota’s Chairman, Akio Toyoda, recently reiterated that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will account for 30% of the global vehicle market, with the remainder shared by hybrid and hydrogen-powered FCEVs.
This collaboration with Hyundai is another example of the global effort to accelerate the hydrogen economy and build a sustainable future.
