Hyundai Motor Group Showcases Robotic Hydrogen Refueling and Upgraded Fuel Cell Systems at 2026 World Hydrogen Energy Expo

On November 4, Hyundai Motor Group unveiled a robot capable of automatically refueling hydrogen commercial vehicles for the first time at the 2026 World Hydrogen Energy Expo held at KINTEX in Goyang, South Korea, and announced an upgraded fuel cell system. The fuel cell system showcased this time adopts upgraded battery cells and related components to improve stack durability and meet the long-distance driving needs of commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses. The automatic hydrogen refueling robot will be used to fill hydrogen for fuel cell cleaning vehicles. Hyundai Motor Group also presented the Bluelink Uptime Care platform, which can monitor the operating status of vehicle components and support preventive maintenance. In terms of hydrogen supply, Hyundai Motor Group showcased a megawatt-scale electrolytic hydrogen production solution. The solution combines 12 stacks into a 5MW-class electrolyzer module, capable of producing approximately 700 tons of hydrogen per year, with the overall design supporting expansion to hundreds of megawatts. Currently, a 1MW containerized demonstration facility has been put into operation in Gwangju, South Korea, and projects in Boryeong, Buan County, and Jeju Island are under development. A facility that produces hydrogen from organic waste has been built in Cheongju. The exhibition site also displayed the Nexo hydrogen fuel cell SUV planned for launch in 2027, a hydrogen-powered locomotive model, and the Elec City Fuel Cell low-floor intercity bus currently under development. The bus is designed to meet a related requirement in South Korea that will take effect in 2027. In addition, the Gunsan Saemangeum AI Valley concept project plans to connect a solar-driven electrolytic hydrogen production system with AI data centers and robot manufacturing facilities.