A new hydrogen refuelling station and fleet of fuel cell electric buses will be established at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea by March 2021 thanks to a new partnership.
Hyundai, Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), Air Liquide Korea and Hydrogen Energy Network (HyNet) have joined forces to accelerate the airport’s efforts to become a low-carbon eco-friendly airport.
The four parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the station and buses at Incheon Airport’s Terminal 2 by March 2021.
Hyundai will support the construction cost of the hydrogen station while providing fuel cell electric buses as well as their maintenance and service; Incheon International Airport will provide a site for the station; HyNet will handle its construction and operation; and Air Liquide Korea will provide two high-capacity hydrogen chargers and supply hydrogen gas.
Over the next five years, Hyundai’s hydrogen-powered buses will gradually replace Incheon Airport’s current fleet of internal combustion engine buses that shuttle between the terminals, long-term parking lots and logistics complex.
The first batch of seven fuel cell electric buses will go into operation in the second half of this year, followed by three to five buses entering service annually.
© Hyundai Motor Company
“We expect Incheon International Airport to emerge as the world’s leading eco-friendly airport with the new hydrogen refuelling station and introduction of fuel cell electric buses,” said Seong Kwon Han, President and Head of Commercial Vehicles Division at Hyundai Motor Company.
“The partnership across industries will be a stepping stone in bringing the hydrogen economy closer to daily lives. Hyundai Motor will continue to explore various ways to accelerate the hydrogen economy.”
The partnership is part of the Ministry of Environment’s project to install hydrogen refuelling stations and subsidise privately financed infrastructure projects.
