Hyundai Construction Equipment has joined forces with Hyundai Motor Group and Hyundai Mobis to develop the world’s first hydrogen-powered construction equipment.
The three Hyundai entities have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop hydrogen-powered forklifts and medium and large hydrogen-powered excavators, with a 2023 mass production and distribution target deadline.
Hyundai Motors and Hyundai Mobis will design and manufacture hydrogen fuel cell systems, including power packs, and Hyundai Construction Equipment will design, manufacture and evaluate the performance of excavators and forklifts.
According to sources, this hydrogen-based electric construction equipment uses electricity produced through the chemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen as its power source.
The hydrogen power has advantages over lithium batteries, which have structural issues that limit attempts to increase capacity, as per reports.
The company reportedly conveyed that this move gives it a competitive edge in developing the core technology in hydrogen-powered construction equipment.