Hyundai Construction Equipment is working on the development of excavators that can use hydrogen as fuel in partnership with Hyundai Motors.
The project is commencing this year with a target date for the machines being ready for market set in 2023. According to the firm, the use of hydrogen for fuel cells suits duties with large construction equipment. This offers easier capacity expansion than for all-electric machines powered by lithium batteries.
The firm says that this agreement should give Hyundai Construction Equipment the opportunity to take a leading role in the future hydrogen-powered equipment market. It will also put the firm in a good position to secure a better place in establishing a global standard
Hyundai Construction Equipment signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the joint-development of hydrogen fuel cell construction equipment with Hyundai Motors and Hyundai Mobis at its Mabuk Research Center in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do. Together, the three companies will look to develop medium/large-capacity hydrogen-powered excavators over the next few years.
According to the MOU, Hyundai Motors and Hyundai Mobis will design and manufacture hydrogen fuel cell systems, including power packs. Hyundai Construction Equipment will design, manufacture, and evaluate the performance of excavators.
Unlike conventional diesel engine-based equipment, hydrogen-based electric construction equipment uses electricity produced through the chemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen as its power source, meaning no emissions of toxic gases into the air.
Hwang Jong-hyun, head of the R&D Division for Hyundai Material Handling at Hyundai Construction Equipment, said: “With this latest agreement, we’ve prepared a foundation upon which we can secure core technology in hydrogen-powered construction equipment ahead of our competitors. Hyundai Construction Equipment will do its very best to meet the challenges that lie ahead as countries around the world attempt to establish global standards in terms of certifying the performance of equipment and legislating relevant laws for the commercialisation of hydrogen-powered construction equipment, and play a leading role in the market moving forward.”
