Hyundai, Kia and Gore collaborate for fuel cell electric commercial vehicles

Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, and W. L. Gore & Associates have formalised an agreement to jointly develop cutting-edge polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) technology for hydrogen fuel cell systems. The signing ceremony took place at the Mabuk Eco-Friendly R&D Center in Korea, last week. The collaboration will focus on crucial aspects of developing the technology, with the primary objective of creating an advanced PEM tailored for the next generation of fuel cell electric commercial vehicles.

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) technology

PEM technology facilitates proton conduction between electrodes in a hydrogen fuel cell, preventing direct combination of hydrogen and oxygen gases. This selective conduction generates an electric current to power the vehicle, thereby enhancing  fuel cell system performance and durability.

Building on 15 years of collaboration

Having cultivated a partnership in fuel cell research for over 15 years, Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Gore are now intensifying their efforts to jointly engineer an optimised fuel cell system for commercial vehicles. The emphasis of this particular collaboration is on enhancing both performance and durability to meet the evolving demands of the fuel-cell market.

Gore, an advanced materials company headquartered in Delaware, USA, brings its expertise in PEM, Catalyst coated Membrane and MEA technology to the table. This collaboration aims to integrate Gore’s pioneering PEM technology with Hyundai Motor and Kia’s advanced fuel cell knowledge, paving the way for the incorporation of advanced PEM technology into the next generation of fuel cell systems across various sectors, including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and non-automotive applications.

Hydrogen fuel cells and the future of automotive

Chang Hwan Kim, Head of Battery Development and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Development at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation, commented: “We are entering the next chapter of our partnership with Gore.

“By leveraging the 15 years of collaboration, we will acquire advanced fuel cell technology and lead the fuel cell electric vehicle market, accelerating the movement towards a sustainable future.”

This collaboration is a strategic extension of Hyundai Motor Group’s extensive 25-year commitment to hydrogen technology, culminating in the establishment of the HTWO hydrogen business brand in 2020. The Group is actively expanding its global fuel cell business across diverse sectors, such as passenger and commercial vehicles, marine vessels, aerospace applications, power generation and more.

Michelle Augustine, Gore Clean Energy Business Group Leader, added: “We look forward to advancing our longstanding collaboration with Hyundai Motor and Kia. Through our advanced PEM technology solutions, we will work together to deliver fuel cell vehicles that offer both superior performance and cost advantages to consumers.”