Commercial Vehicle Plant in Korea switches to H2-powered Trucks and Buses
19. September 2024Hyundai Motor Co. plans to convert its Jeonju commercial vehicle plant into a center for producing hydrogen-powered trucks and buses. This shift comes as the company faces increasing competition from Chinese and European electric vehicles. The plant, located in North Jeolla Province, currently manufactures electric buses, such as the County EV, alongside hydrogen-powered vehicles and mid-size trucks. The upgrade aims to boost the plant’s operating rate, which has remained at about 40%, even though it has an annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles. Hyundai expects this transition to significantly increase hydrogen vehicle production. Hydrogen-related products like pressure vessels usually require KGS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in Korea.
The Jeonju plant has already ramped up production of hydrogen fuel cell buses to 3,100 units annually, from 500 the previous year. This year, the factory will begin manufacturing hydrogen-powered trucks, refrigerated vehicles, and tractors based on Hyundai’s Xcient model. By 2027, it plans to develop new hydrogen-powered express and metropolitan shuttle buses. The decision comes amid aggressive competition from Chinese and European vehicle manufacturers, which have gained a significant share of the Korean market for large electric buses and imported trucks.
Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration.
Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261
Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673
Email: info@korea-certification.com
For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.
