Hydrogen
Humanity
Hydrogen Production
We produce hydrogen using various resources such as organic waste and renewable energy.
Hydrogen Production
Related Group Affiliates
About HTWO
Global Energy
Transition Leader
Hyundai Motor Group leads the global energy transition beyond mobility, leveraging the capabilities
of
its Group affiliates across the entire hydrogen
value chain.
We
are
building a cleaner and more sustainable hydrogen society for
present and
future
generations.
For Hyundai,
the hydrogen society
is
a multi-generational
commitment
Through hydrogen technology
innovation, we have opened up
possibilities for a better future.
And those possibilities are
expanding
across generations toward the
realization of a
hydrogen society.
Hyundai’s commitment to making progress for humanity
through hydrogen has continued for nearly
three decades
Hyundai established a dedicated organization for
hydrogen research and development
in 1998 and has
pursued continuous investment and innovation in
hydrogen technologies for nearly 30 years.
Hyundai successfully
developed its own
proprietary
fuel cell stack by 2004, and
in 2013, unveiled the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle: the Tucson
ix35 Fuel Cell.
In 2018, Hyundai launched the NEXO, a dedicated fuel cell passenger vehicle,
opening the door to the future of hydrogen mobility.
This was followed by a series of industry firsts, including the XCIENT Fuel Cell, the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck; the ELEC CITY Fuel Cell city bus; the UNIVERSE Fuel Cell coach bus.
NEXO recorded cumulative sales of over 40,000 units across more than 25 countries worldwide, making it
by far the no. 1 best-selling hydrogen fuel cell passenger vehicle in the world.
In April
2025, Hyundai introduced the all-new NEXO, which achieved approximately 7,000 contracts within just
three months of launch, further solidifying its position as the most widely deployed hydrogen-powered
passenger vehicle globally.
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Hyundai’s journey with hydrogen electric vehicles began in 1998, driven by a strong sense of mission for future generations.
Despite the absence of commercialized fuel cell technology in Korea at the time, Hyundai partnered with UTC Power, a U.S.-based supplier of fuel cells for NASA spacecraft, marking the first step toward hydrogen
energy development and a new vision for mobility.
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Hyundai built its technological foundation through the exchange of over 2,600 data points with UTC Power researchers, and in 2000 unveiled ‘Mercury I,’ Korea’s first hydrogen electric vehicle based on the SANTA FE.
Hyundai further demonstrated its capabilities on the global stage by winning an award at the 2001 Michelin Challenge Bibendum, bringing its hydrogen electric vehicle development to international attention.
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Alongside the Mercury Project, Hyundai Motor launched the ‘Polaris Project’ to independently develop fuel cell stacks.
Through repeated testing and hands-on assembly of more than 400 graphite separator plates, the research team secured core component technologies, ultimately succeeding in independently developing fuel cell stacks in 2004.
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Amid declining interest in hydrogen during the mid-2000s, Hyundai overcame technical challenges by redesigning a metal separator-based stack after more than a year of development.
With a Europe-focused sales strategy, Hyundai achieved the world’s first mass production of a hydrogen electric vehicle—the ix35 Fuel Cell—and reached 1,000 units sold in 2013.
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Hyundai introduced NEXO, its first dedicated hydrogen electric vehicle, in 2018, showcasing its technological leadership by earning top safety ratings and being named to the WardsAuto ‘10 Best Engines’ list.
Since then, Hyundai has established itself as a pioneer in hydrogen mobility, achieving No.1 in cumulative sales of hydrogen electric vehicles and expanding into fuel cell system exports.
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XCIENT Fuel Cell was introduced in Switzerland for the first time in the world. It was delivered to a local logistics company via Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility and demonstrated outstanding technological capability with excellent driving performance even in mountainous terrain. Subsequently, sales were launched in Korea in 2022.
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Following its initial unveiling in Korea in 2019, ELEC CITY Fuel Cell was deployed through pilot programs in Ulsan and Seoul before the mass-produced model entered service on routes in Changwon.
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‘N Vision 74’ is a hydrogen electric hybrid concept vehicle inspired by the 1974 Pony Coupe Concept.
Combining a hydrogen fuel cell (85kW) with a battery (62.4kWh), it uses hydrogen as the primary power source and the battery as a booster, achieving 0–100 km/h acceleration in approximately 4 seconds and a driving range of over 600 km.
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Hyundai unveiled the mass-production model of the XCIENT hydrogen electric tractor designed for the U.S. market, a 6×4 heavy-duty truck with a gross combination weight of 37.2 tons optimized for long-distance transport.
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Development began in 2021, with pilot operations conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and regional governments.
Following its domestic launch in 2023, the UNIVERSE Fuel Cell entered operation on Incheon Airport limousine routes in 2024.
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At CES 2024, Hyundai Motor Group announced the expansion of HTWO into a comprehensive hydrogen value chain business brand.
By integrating the capabilities of its affiliates, the Group presented a vision to accelerate the transition to a hydrogen society through end-to-end solutions spanning production, storage, and utilization. -
‘INITIUM’ features a distinctive design incorporating Hyundai’s ‘Art of Steel’ design language and the HTWO symbol, emphasizing the identity of hydrogen electric vehicles.
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Hyundai Motor Company introduced the fully redesigned ‘the all-new NEXO’, seven years after its initial launch in 2018.
Equipped with a significantly improved 2.5-generation fuel cell system, it offers a driving range of up to 720 km on a single charge.
Introduce HTWO
In 2024, beyond our achievements in the hydrogen
mobility sector, Hyundai Motor
Group introduced
HTWO, a hydrogen brand and business platform that
integrates capabilities of our affiliates within the Group
Meaning behind the HTWO Logo
Hydrogen
Humanity
The HTWO logo embodies the message of ‘Hydrogen for Humanity’ with two interlocking Hs, symbolizing the two main pillars of Hyundai Motor Group’s hydrogen value chain business. HTWO reflects Hyundai’s commitment to hydrogen as a key solution for a cleaner future for society and future generations.
End-to-End Value Chain
HTWO provides end-to-end solutions across the whole hydrogen value chain, from production to utilization
Hydrogen Storage, Transportation, and Refueling
We build infrastructure to store, transport, and reliably refuel and supply hydrogen where it is needed.
Hydrogen Storage
Hydrogen Transportation
Hydrogen Refueling
Related Group Affiliates
Hydrogen Utilization
Hydrogen can be utilized beyond mobility, across a wide range of sectors including logistics, industry, and defense.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell System
Hydrogen Mobility
Industrial Applications
Related Group Affiliates
HTWO serves as an open platform for collaboration,
partnership, and investment,
continuously evolving and
growing to drive the acceleration of a sustainable
hydrogen society. It combines our pioneering expertise in
mobility, energy, and infrastructure with the shared vision
and
capabilities of our collaborators
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Hydrogen Energy
Business
HTWO Energy Cheongju:
Waste-to-Hydrogen Production Plant
Utilizing Sewage Sludge -
Hydrogen Research and
Collaboration
Hyundai HTWO Innovation Centre at IIT Madras (Funding):
Sponsorship of Hydrogen Research Facility at Indian Institute of Technology
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Hydrogen Mobility
Passenger Cars, Trucks,
Buses,
Fuel Cell SystemsHyundai is like no other energy
company with roots deeply
grounded
in mobility, and like no other mobility
company
with branches so far
reaching into energy sectors. -
Hydrogen Energy
Value ChainProduction, Storage,
Transportation, Refueling,
UtilizationThrough HTWO, Hyundai’s bold
identity as an energy player builds
upon its core as a mobility
company.
Beyond our mobility expertise, our
unmatched cross-industry
capabilities position us
as a global
leader in energy transition.
Leveraging cross-industry
capabilities, Hyundai Motor
Group is
reshaping the energy ecosystem by
expanding both hydrogen demand
and supply.
Together, HTWO unlocks immense
potential and accelerates the
hydrogen economy, delivering
meaningful benefits for our
communities, industries, and the
planet.
The hydrogen society we envision is no longer a distant future
—it is becoming
a reality today
Hyundai Motor Group remains committed to driving positive
change for humanity and building a sustainable world for
generations to come