Hyundai to provide hydrogen fuel cell system for world’s first electric car race

South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group will provide its hydrogen fuel cell system to the world’s first touring race for electric vehicles, Hyundai Motor Co. said on Friday.

The automotive group said it will showcase its innovative technology in fuel cell power generation at the Electric Touring Car Racing (ETCR) event to be held in Vallelunga, Italy, from June 18 to 20.

Hyundai’s HTWO fuel cell power generators will be provided to help participating teams operate their high-performance EVs, it said.

The ETCR is a competition for pure electric cars.

Hyundai Motor said it is also joining the event as a competitor with its own racing car, the Veloster N ETCR.

Its mobile fuel cell system is a 160-kilowatt power generation module that can charge two electric cars at the same time in less than an hour, according to Hyundai.

Hyundai has been recognized for its world-class fuel cell technology featured in its NEXO hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

In line with its aim to become a leader in the hydrogen-fueled vehicle market, Hyundai has launched HTWO, a brand dedicated to its hydrogen fuel cell system. The name HTWO stands for the hydrogen molecule, H2, as well as “hydrogen and humanity,” it said.

Hyundai hopes to use its hydrogen fuel cell technology in various sectors, including the urban air mobility (UAM) business.

On Thursday, Hyundai Motor and three other Korean conglomerates – SK, POSCO and Hyosung – agreed to set up an industry-wide consulting body on hydrogen, underscoring an enhanced corporate commitment marking the paradigm shift to a hydrogen economy.

Write to Byung-Uk Do at dodo@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.