Hyundai to supply 1,000 hydrogen buses to run in South Korean capital and surrounding area by 2027
Deal represents a fifth of bus operator KD Transportation’s nationwide fleet
Korean automaker Hyundai has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with public transport company KD Transportation and industrial firm SK E&S to supply 1,000 hydrogen buses by 2027.
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While it is unclear whether the deal is commercially binding, and if so, when final contracts will be signed, Hyundai has agreed to replace the first 100 buses with fuel-cell models this year.
Given that KD Transportation operates around 5,000 buses nationwide, this plan would replace a fifth of its current fleet in three years.
However, while a press release by Hyundai claims that liquid hydrogen filling stations are more efficient than those storing and distributing compressed gas, with shorter refuelling times, liquefaction requires hydrogen to be cooled to minus 253°C and uses more energy than compression.
However, it is unclear whether this latest deal with KD Transportation is separate, or an agreement that would help Hyundai fulfil these previous targets.
However, despite generous subsidies, the market for passenger FCEVs has slowed considerably, with only two units sold in South Korea in January.
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