South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Company and University College London (UCL) have come together to jointly research carbon-neutral future technologies.
Signalling this joint effort, the two have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ‘co-operation in areas of research and development for hydrogen production, hydrogen fuel cells and electrification technology’.
The MoU was at Mansion House in London on November 22.
The MOU was initialled prior to a meeting of the U.K.-Korea Business Forum.
Both South Korea and the U.K are aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
UCL is a prestigious research-oriented university that is consistently ranked at the top of global university rankings and has produced dozens of Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winners. UCL is a leader in hydrogen-related technologies and has recently strengthened its capabilities in automotive electrification research with the establishment of the Advanced Propulsion Lab in 2023.
Accelerate Innovation
“Through joint research with UCL, one of the U.K.’s leading research universities, we will accelerate the pace of technological innovation in hydrogen production, fuel cells and electrification,” said Jaehoon (Jay) Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, in a release. “We hope that this collaboration will contribute to achieving carbon neutrality in the transportation sector, which is a goal shared by Korea and the U.K.”
“New technologies, such as hydrogen generation, electric vehicles and fuel cells, are a fundamental part of international efforts to keep the global temperature rise within the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. This partnership will combine UCL’s world-leading engineering research with Hyundai’s expertise as one of the world’s leading automotive companies to accelerate the development of these vital technologies,” UCL President and Provost, Dr Michael Spence, said,
Hyundai Motor and UCL will jointly research future mobility technologies to realize carbon neutrality in the fields of hydrogen production, fuel cells and electrification. They also expect research collaboration on advanced materials, proprietary technologies and basic industrial technologies to be possible.
Hyundai Motor also aims to strengthen collaboration with UCL on joint carbon reduction research projects.
Hyundai Motor has committed to sell only zero-emission electrified vehicles by 2040 in major markets, starting with Europe in 2035. It has also reiterated its keenness to replace 100 per cent of the electricity demand of its global operations with renewable energy by 2045.
Toolbox
The company also is promoting the establishment of a hydrogen ecosystem and planning a Hydrogen Business Toolbox in partnership with Hyundai Motor Group affiliates. The Hydrogen Business Toolbox is a hydrogen business model in which the entire lifecycle is organically connected to achieve supply chain carbon neutrality. It encompasses the application of eco-friendly parts, such as green steel, the introduction of an eco-friendly logistics system using hydrogen energy and the sale of FCEVs. The company plans to implement the Hydrogen Business Toolbox in the future, particularly within Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA).
Hyundai is also collaborating with Poh Tiong Choon Logistics (PTCL), a logistics company based in Singapore, to establish a hydrogen mobility ecosystem. It is also engaged in the development of hydrogen-electric city buses and large vans in partnership with Iveco Group, a global commercial vehicle company, while introducing the XCIENT Fuel Cell electric heavy-duty truck in several markets and actively participating in air quality improvement projects in California.
HMIL Smart Care Clinic
Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), in the meanwhile, has launched the Hyundai Smart Care Clinic campaign. The 10-day nation-wide customer-connect programme will provideafter-sale offers along with special year-end offers and benefits.
Hyundai Smart Care Clinic campaign is an initiative introduced to encourage customers to maintain their Hyundai car throughout the year and enjoy their drives. Commenting on the launch of Hyundai Smart Care Clinic, Tarun Garg, COO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd., said, “The year 2023 has been a milestone year for Hyundai Motor India. Our newest entry SUV - Exter - has taken the industry by storm and already received an overwhelming response with close to 100,000 bookings. IONIQ 5 has also received an astounding response with more than 1000 vehicles sold so far since its launch in early 2023. Adding more to this celebration, we are glad to announce the nationwide‘Hyundai Smart Care Clinic’ campaign that offers a wide range of benefits to our customers.”
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