Hydrogen fuel cell technology appears to be fighting a losing battle when it comes to mainstream adoption, but most brands that have been invested in the technology remain committed to finding some way to make the alternate fuel source work. Hyundai is one of the front-runners in the hydrogen mobility sphere, having invested an extensive deal of capital and development into the fuel source for multiple applications, including personal mobility. Hyundai began developing hydrogen fuel cell technology in the late 1990s, establishing itself as one of the earliest automakers to invest in hydrogen mobility.
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Hyundai
- Founded
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29 December 1967
- Founder
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Chung Ju-yung
- Headquarters
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Seoul, South Korea
- Owned By
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Hyundai Motor Group
- Current CEO
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Jose Munoz
Beyond passenger cars, Hyundai expanded hydrogen technology into heavy-duty transport before establishing its dedicated hydrogen brand, HTWO, to oversee the entire hydrogen value chain, including production, storage, and mobility applications. Hyundai has since advanced large-scale hydrogen infrastructure projects in Korea, Europe, and North America, aiming to make hydrogen an accessible clean energy source across industries. As of 2025, the South Korean brand remains committed to the project, which it showcased at the latest South Korean economic theory conference.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Hyundai and other authoritative sources.
Hyundai Remains Committed To Hydrogen Technology
It Made Some Big Promises At A Major Convention
Hyundai Motor Company has taken to the 13th World Congress of the Econometric Society at COEX in Seoul to present its long-term hydrogen vision and exhibit the all-new Nexo fuel cell electric vehicle. Hyundai uses this opportunity at this major international event for economic and industry leaders to solidify hydrogen’s importance in the global energy transition and highlights its leadership through its dedicated “HTWO” hydrogen brand and business platform. The company also showcases next-generation hydrogen production technologies and pilot projects that demonstrate its goal of building a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem.
The centerpiece of Hyundai’s exhibition is the redesigned NEXO FCEV, which we already got a look at a few months ago. This is one of the first public appearances for the upcoming FCEV. The new-generation model features the Art of Steel design philosophy and signature HTWO Lamps, combining aerodynamic form with high structural strength. The vehicle targets a claimed driving range exceeding 435 miles.
For reference, the previous-generation Nexo boasts a 380-mile range estimate, as per the EPA. It also features advanced safety systems and eco-friendly materials to enhance both occupant protection and environmental sustainability, reinforcing the South Korean brand’s expertise in zero-emission mobility. Visitors to Hyundai’s booth also experience visual presentations of the Group’s vision for a hydrogen society and the broader industrial applications of hydrogen.
Hyundai’s Hydrogen Plans For The Future
Additional future endeavors that Hyundai took to the stage with include a biogas-based hydrogen extraction system from the waste-to-hydrogen plant in Chungju and the electrolysis-based hydrogen production facility in Buan. These two innovations illustrate its comprehensive hydrogen production capabilities outside the personal mobility sphere. Hyundai also highlights its hydrogen-powered commercial lineup, including the XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck and the Elec City and Universe Fuel Cell buses, reflecting the brand’s progress in establishing a full-scale hydrogen mobility ecosystem.
The World Congress of the Econometric Society is held every five years and is the world’s largest academic economics conference, and Hyundai’s involvement as Korea hosts the event demonstrates how its technologies align with global sustainability objectives. Through HTWO, Hyundai Motor Group continues to show its commitment to alternate fuel sources and accelerate the transition toward a hydrogen society by covering every stage of the hydrogen value chain, from production and storage to transport and utilization. HTWO functions as an open business platform that fosters collaboration, investment, and partnerships with global stakeholders, strengthening Hyundai Motor Group’s position as a leading enabler of the hydrogen economy and a key player in the worldwide effort to achieve carbon neutrality.
How The Next-Generation Nexo Leads The Strategy
Improved Performance And Refueling Times
The upcoming next-generation Nexo introduces some major changes to make it a more viable daily driver option for those still considering hydrogen for personal mobility. The compact crossover still features a single front-mounted permanent-magnet motor, generating an impressive 255 horsepower and 291 pound-feet, resulting in a claimed 7.8-second zero to 60 MPH time. Hyundai limits the top speed to 111 MPH.
Performance Specifications
| Engine | Single-permanent-magnet motor |
| Transmission | Single-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 255 HP |
| Torque | 291 LB-FT |
| Driveline | Front-wheel drive |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.8 Seconds |
| Top Speed | 111 MPH |
The new Nexo also features a revolutionized PHEV system similar to Honda’s CR-V e:FCEV, but the brand has not divulged any information regarding the battery’s capacity. We do know that the hydrogen tank measures 6.69 kilograms, which is about half a kilo larger than the model it replaces.
Hydrogen Is Losing The Fight To Full Electrification
The Cons Associated With Hydrogen Just Keep Getting Worse
Hydrogen will ultimately be phased out in preference to fully electric vehicles because EVs have established a far stronger foundation in terms of infrastructure, efficiency, cost, and automaker commitment. This makes them a much more practical and scalable solution for decarbonizing transport. Battery EVs can plug into a network of charging stations that now numbers in the tens of thousands across the U.S., while hydrogen refueling remains almost entirely confined to California, with no realistic path toward nationwide rollout due to the high expense of station construction and supply logistics.
From an energy efficiency standpoint, EVs hold a major advantage since electricity can power a car directly, whereas hydrogen requires additional energy-intensive steps of production, compression, storage, and transport that waste more than half of the input energy, making FCEVs inherently less efficient and more costly to operate. Automakers have recognized this disparity and shifted investment away from hydrogen for passenger cars, with brands like Toyota and Hyundai scaling back U.S. hydrogen offerings while expanding EV lineups to meet consumer demand and regulatory targets.
Battery costs have also declined dramatically, enabling EVs to become increasingly affordable, while hydrogen fuel remains prohibitively expensive. Consumer adoption reflects these trends as EV sales continue to grow rapidly each year, even despite recent demand declines, while FCEVs remain stuck at a few thousand units in circulation. Public trust also leans toward EVs, with buyers perceiving them as easier to own, charge, and maintain compared to niche hydrogen models. Hydrogen’s role in the passenger car market will shrink to near irrelevance, leaving fully electric vehicles as the dominant zero-emission solution, as grid decarbonization progresses and battery technology improves further with longer ranges and faster charging.
Troubles That Continue To Challenge The Hydrogen Industry
Hydrogen-powered vehicles continue to face several noteworthy downsides for U.S. consumers, ultimately limiting their viability as an alternative fuel source, especially when compared to modern battery-electric vehicles. The most critical issue that hurts hydrogen FCEV ownership is the lack of refueling infrastructure, as there are only a handful of public hydrogen stations currently in operation in California, with some of these set to shut down in the coming months due to a noteworthy decline in demand. This also leaves the rest of the country completely inaccessible for practical hydrogen use, as the infrastructure gap stems from the high cost of building and maintaining hydrogen stations. This can typically exceed $2 million per site and requires specialized storage and distribution equipment that is far more complex than EV charging networks.
Hydrogen production also creates challenges, since most hydrogen today comes from steam methane reforming of natural gas. This is a process that emits significant carbon dioxide that undermines the environmental benefits unless the industry scales up green hydrogen made through renewable-powered electrolysis, which remains far more expensive. The cost of fuel cell vehicles is another barrier, since models like the Hyundai Nexo carry higher purchase prices than comparable EVs, while also facing limited consumer incentives and weak resale values due to niche demand.
Source: The EPA