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Hyundai Motor‘s President and CEO, Jaehoon Chang, has been appointed as the new Co-Chair of the Hydrogen Council. In this role, he aims to advance the global hydrogen economy and foster international collaboration and investment. This announcement builds on Hyundai Motor Group’s longstanding commitment to hydrogen technologies and their development.
Key Highlights
- New Leadership: Jaehoon Chang joins Sanjiv Lamba, CEO of Linde, as Co-Chair of the Hydrogen Council, succeeding Yoshinori Kanehana.
- Hyundai’s Hydrogen Commitment: Since 1998, Hyundai has invested heavily in hydrogen technologies, including the development of the first mass-produced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), the Tucson ix35, in 2013.
- Innovative Milestones:
- 2004: Development of an independent fuel cell stack.
- 2018: Mass production of the NEXO, a dedicated FCEV.
- 2020: Launch of the XCIENT Fuel Cell, a heavy-duty hydrogen-powered truck.
- HTWO Expansion: Hyundai plans to expand its HTWO brand, which covers the entire hydrogen value chain, including production, storage, transportation, and utilization.
- U.S. Market Presence: At the ACT Expo 2024, Hyundai introduced its U.S. clean logistics business, highlighting its commitment to the hydrogen ecosystem.
Hyundai Motor Company’s Dedication to Hydrogen
Hyundai Motor Company has been a pioneer in the hydrogen sector since the establishment of its Fuel Cell research and development division in 1998. This dedication has been showcased through several significant achievements:
- 2004: Hyundai independently developed a fuel cell stack.
- 2013: The company achieved the world’s first mass production of a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) with the Tucson ix35 FCEV.
- 2018: Hyundai began mass production of the NEXO, the first dedicated FCEV.
- 2020: Hyundai launched the XCIENT Fuel Cell, the world’s first mass-produced heavy-duty hydrogen-powered truck.
At CES 2024, Hyundai announced plans to expand HTWO, its hydrogen fuel cell system brand. HTWO, introduced in 2020, aims to cover the entire hydrogen value chain for Hyundai Motor Group.
In May 2024, Hyundai showcased its hydrogen vision and U.S. clean logistics business at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, reinforcing its leading position in the hydrogen ecosystem. The XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks have surpassed a cumulative driving distance of 10 million kilometers in Swiss fleet operations, proving the reliability of Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Jaehoon Chang’s Vision and Role
As the new Co-Chair of the Hydrogen Council, Jaehoon Chang is committed to promoting the global hydrogen economy and proposing practical solutions for future energy transitions. He will collaborate closely with CEOs of the Council’s member organizations to accelerate international trade and investment in hydrogen technologies.
“The Hydrogen Council is a crucial initiative in our global energy transition effort,” said Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. “I am delighted to be appointed as Co-Chair and I look forward to working with fellow hydrogen leaders to drive innovation and advance deployment.”
Chang’s appointment underscores Hyundai’s unwavering commitment to leading the way in hydrogen technology and contributing to a sustainable energy future.
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