| Hyundai Motor Group's fuel cell power generation system / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group |
By Baek Byung-yeul
Hyundai Motor Group will provide its hydrogen fuel cell system to the world's first touring race for electric vehicles (EVs). The Korean automotive giant said Friday it hopes to showcase its cutting-edge technology in mobile fuel cell power generators at the Electric Touring Car Racing (ETCR) event.
The ETCR is intended to be a competition for pure electric cars. The automotive group said it will join the event as a competitor and will also provide its HTWO fuel cell power generators to help all participating teams operate their high-performance EVs.
"The ETCR event will play the role of a test bed for our high-performance electric car so that we can further upgrade electric systems in EVs. Also, we will seek new business opportunities for our fuel cell power generation system," the company said.
Hyundai has been recognized for its world-class fuel cell technology featured in its NEXO hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). The company expects its HTWO mobile fuel cell power generators will play a major role in developing emergency electricity in remote areas where a power supply is difficult to find.
Its mobile fuel cell power generation system is a 160-kilowatt power generation module that can charge two EVs at the same time in less than an hour. The ETCR event will be held in Vallelunga, Italy, from June 18 to 20.
"It is meaningful that the hydrogen fuel cell system will play the role of charging EVs joining the ETCR, an inaugural racing event for high-performance EVs," a group official said. "We will continue providing HTWO to various industries to gain a solid edge in the hydrogen power market."
Aiming to make clean energy become its next growth engine, Hyundai Motor Group is expanding its lineup of products to EVs and fuel cell power systems.
On Thursday, the company agreed to set up a fuel cell council with other conglomerates including SK, POSCO and Hyosung to accelerate the energy transition with hydrogen power.