Hyundai Motor Company, a leading automotive manufacturer, held a significant event in Korea titled ‘Clearly Committed,’ demonstrating its unwavering dedication to a future powered by hydrogen. The event showcased the company’s latest innovation: the INITIUM hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) concept. This vehicle represents a pivotal step in Hyundai’s journey towards a sustainable hydrogen society.
The name ‘INITIUM,’ derived from the Latin word meaning ‘beginning’ or ‘first,’ symbolizes Hyundai’s pioneering role in hydrogen energy technology. INITIUM serves as a preview of a new production FCEV scheduled for release in the first half of next year. This concept car embodies Hyundai’s 27 years of expertise in hydrogen development and reflects its deep commitment to creating a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, emphasized the company’s vision for a hydrogen-powered society. “Hyundai Motor’s clear, unwavering commitment to hydrogen over the past 27 years is rooted in our belief in its potential as a clean, accessible, and therefore fair energy source for everyone,” stated Chang. “We are dedicated to pioneering a future where hydrogen is used by everyone, in everything, and everywhere. We invite you to join us on this journey.”
The ‘Clearly Committed’ event served as a platform to highlight the company’s ‘Art of Steel’ design language, which is reflected in the INITIUM concept. This design philosophy emphasizes a customer-centric approach, prioritizing aesthetics, functionality, and user experience.
Further reinforcing Hyundai’s commitment to hydrogen, the company launched its HTWO hydrogen value chain business brand earlier this year at CES 2024. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung emphasized the group’s dedication to hydrogen energy, envisioning a comprehensive ecosystem called HTWO Grid. This ambitious project encompasses the entire hydrogen value chain, from production and storage to transportation and utilization. Chung underlined the group’s commitment to developing a hydrogen society and its capabilities to achieve this goal. “The shift to hydrogen energy is for future generations,” he stated.
The event also featured a Hydrogen Heritage Talk session, showcasing Hyundai’s extensive history of FCEV development, spanning 27 years. The panel discussion between executives allowed attendees to gain insights into Hyundai’s dedication to this technology. From the Mercury Project, aimed at bridging ground to industry leaders, to the Polaris Project, which focused on independent development of the company’s core fuel cell stack technology, Hyundai has consistently made significant strides in hydrogen innovation. In 2005, the establishment of the Mabuk Environmental Technology R&D Center further accelerated the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Hyundai Motor Group Honorary Chairman Mong-Koo Chung inspired researchers at the facility to push boundaries, empowering them to pursue engineering challenges with courage and confidence. He famously said, “You can never make something great by creating it just once. Don’t worry about budget, let young engineers try making every type of car they dream of. There’s no need to save money by developing the same car 100 times over. It’s fine if all 100 models are completely different to each other.”
Hyundai’s dedication to hydrogen technology led it to become the world’s first automaker to mass-produce hydrogen FCEVs, introducing its first dedicated hydrogen fuel cell model in 2018. These advancements underscore Hyundai’s unwavering commitment to building a brighter future.
