Hyundai Motor Company turns CNG depots into hydrogen hubs... Sunjin Group to convert 480 buses

[Financial News] Hyundai Motor Company is partnering with Sunjin Group to convert bus routes in the Seoul metropolitan area to hydrogen buses. The company plans to convert existing compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling stations at its Gimpo and Paju depots into hydrogen refueling stations and introduce 480 hydrogen buses in stages by 2032. The plan is to expand the supply base by linking vehicle supply with the construction of refueling facilities and maintenance support.
Hyundai Motor Company announced on the 16th that it signed a "Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding for the Expansion of Hydrogen Mobility Supply Based on Charging Infrastructure Innovation" with Sunjin Group, Hynet, the Korea Automobile Environmental Association, and the Korea Natural Gas and Hydrogen Charging Association at UX Studio Seoul in its Gangnam-daero headquarters in Seoul on the 15th.
The signing ceremony was attended by Park Seung-won, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Innovation at Hyundai Motor Company; Shin Jae-ho, Chairman of Sunjin Group; Park Hong-je, Vice Chairman of Sunjin Group; Song Seong-ho, CEO of Hynet; Hwang Gye-young, President of the Korea Automobile Environmental Association; and Kang Jeong-gu, President of the Korea Natural Gas and Hydrogen Charging Association.
The agreement focused on introducing hydrogen buses to major metropolitan-area routes operated by Sunjin Group and securing the charging facilities necessary for their operation. Sunjin Group operates approximately 1,700 buses through 17 transportation companies in the metropolitan and Honam regions.
Sunjin Group is proceeding with the conversion of existing CNG refueling stations at its group and affiliate depots in Gimpo and Paju into hydrogen refueling stations. Based on this, the group plans to introduce a total of 480 hydrogen buses in stages by 2032.
Hynet will be responsible for the construction and operation of the charging facilities. It will support bus operations by establishing large-capacity hydrogen refueling stations at designated depot sites. The Korea Automobile Environmental Association will support the construction of hydrogen refueling stations and the activation of related infrastructure, while the Korea Natural Gas and Hydrogen Charging Association will support the expansion of innovative charging infrastructure models.
Hyundai Motor Company will supply hydrogen buses according to the introduction schedule and provide maintenance training specialized for hydrogen buses. The aim is to help secure the maintenance capabilities needed for stable operation after the vehicles are deployed.
Hyundai Motor Company previously signed hydrogen bus transition agreements with KD Transportation Group and K1 Mobility. With this agreement with Sunjin Group, the company has established a cooperative framework with three major domestic transportation companies for the transition of public transportation in the Seoul metropolitan area to hydrogen buses.
A Hyundai Motor Company official said, "We are taking the lead in expanding charging infrastructure by supporting the entire process, from identifying optimal sites to matching specialized construction companies, for transportation companies and local governments that need hydrogen refueling stations. We will continue to lead the expansion of the hydrogen mobility ecosystem based on effective multilateral cooperation models."
[email protected] Kim Dong-ho Reporter