Hyundai joins hydrogen partnership

Hyundai Motor Company has signalled its commitment to a  low-carbon future by joining the Mayor's London Hydrogen Partnership.

The LHP has initiated more than £50 million worth of hydrogen projects, attracting and rolling-out new hydrogen buses, taxis, scooters, refuelling stations, materials handling vehicles and fuel cell Combined Heat and Power units to London.

Hyundai will provide its expertise in fuel cell electric vehicles to LHP, helping to drive development of the infrastructure needed to help create a hydrogen economy.

Deputy Mayor and chairman of the London Hydrogen Partnership, Kit Malthouse (pictured left), said: "Hyundai and members of the London Hydrogen Partnership will develop a plan for fuel cell vehicles, and will plan the hydrogen refuelling station rollout across London. Hyundai will provide invaluable insights and bring global experience to the Mayor's innovative ‘smart' low carbon, low emission transport activities. This partnership will help to continue placing London's economy at the forefront of science and innovation."

Tony Whitehorn, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor UK (pictured right), said: "Hyundai is proud to be joining the London Hydrogen Partnership, helping to create a future for the capital that's cleaner and more sustainable.

"Hydrogen delivers considerable environmental benefits and we are looking forward to working closely with the other partners of the LHP to drive forward its widespread introduction.

"As the first and currently only manufacturer in the world to series-produce a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle we believe we will play an invaluable role in demonstrating the benefits of this technology.  The availability of the innovative Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell shows that hydrogen is a practical source of clean and sustainable energy.  The fact that this pioneering vehicle is being leased to public and private fleets today will help LHP create investment and employment opportunities as hydrogen infrastructure is developed."

Earlier this year Hyundai became the world's first vehicle manufacturer to begin assembly-line production of the zero-emission, hydrogen-powered Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell.

As well as being delivered to public and private fleets around the world, the car is being used by the European Commission-backed Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) to demonstrate the real-world benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology to members of the European Parliament, European Commission officials and other policymakers.