Air Liquide and Hyundai Expand Global Ecosystem

Hyundai Motor Group and Air Liquide announced a strategic partnership in December 2025 to create a hydrogen ecosystem in Europe, South Korea, and the U.S. The initiative aims to boost hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and adoption, particularly for heavy freight, public transit, and industrial processes. Unlike battery-electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) offer longer ranges and quicker refueling times, making them suitable for long-haul trucks, port equipment, and city buses.

Key Elements of the Partnership:

Production: Emphasizing low-carbon methods like solar- and wind-powered electrolysis and carbon-captured steam methane reforming.

Refueling: Advanced 450-bar filling centers, exemplified by the facility in Daesan, South Korea, enable rapid refueling.

Distribution: High-pressure pipelines and mobile tankers efficiently transport hydrogen from production plants to end-users.

Vehicles: Hyundai’s Nexo models, including SUVs, trucks, and buses, offer ranges of 300–500 km and quick refueling.

R&D: Air Liquide’s Paris Innovation Campus develops advanced electrolyzers, durable fuel cell membranes, and storage materials.

Strategic Markets:

South Korea: Leading in hydrogen commercialization with government support for stations and FCEVs as part of its 2050 carbon-neutral plan.

Europe: The EU Green Deal and cross-border hydrogen corridors drive investment in infrastructure and partnerships.

United States: The Inflation Reduction Act offers tax credits and state-level incentives for hydrogen projects.

Collaboration and Future Outlook:

Both companies co-chair the Hydrogen Council, influencing global hydrogen policy, standards, and certification. Their roadmap includes expanding station networks, increasing capacity, and setting vehicle targets, aiming for widespread hydrogen use by 2026. The partnership targets high-emitting sectors like long-haul freight, ports, and public transit, significantly reducing emissions. With supportive policies and substantial investments, hydrogen is set to become a key component of the clean energy economy.