Hyundai Motor Group's executive vice chairman stressed at a recent gathering in Singapore that the conglomerate is firmly committed to helping the world make the transition to a clean hydrogen society.
The South Korean business group said on Nov. 11, 2018 that Chung Eui-sun, 49, pointed out at a gathering that the United Nations has warned that the world must reduce its overall carbon emissions by 2030 or face serious repercussions.
The heir apparent to the world's fifth-largest automotive conglomerate said at the New Economy Forum, supported by Hyundai, that with the pressing need to reduce fossil fuel consumption cited for global climate change, hydrogen-based power is the future of a zero emissions society that encompasses the automobile sector.
Besides Chung, some 30 CEOs from global companies and leading scholars in this field took part in the gathering.
At a panel discussion session, Kim Sae-hoon, the head of Hyundai's R&D fuel cell group, said that it is easy to envision a greater role of machines and robots that will do the work of people in the future. He pointed out that such developments will invariably lead to greater energy use with hydrogen being the only source that can effectively meet such challenges.
The expert then said on the automotive front, only pure electric and hydrogen fuel cell cars are 100 percent clean, with Hyundai well placed to take the lead in both sectors.
Fuel cell cars carry hydrogen internally, which goes through a fuel cell to produce electricity. These cars have the advantage of being easy to refuel and only release water as a by-product.
Both Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp., flagship affiliates of South Korea's No. 2 family-run conglomerate, have released pure electric vehicles in the past few years. Hyundai, in particular, unveiled the Nexo hydrogen fuel cell car that has received good acclaim, with the lack of refueling infrastructure holding it back from being sold worldwide. (Yonhap)