A significant number of bus sales in Korea this year involve hydrogen-fueled vehicles.
In South Korea, the commercial vehicle market is witnessing a significant shift towards hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), particularly in the large bus sector. Nearly one in five large buses sold in 2025 so far has been a hydrogen FCEV, marking a notable increase from 6% in 2023 and 14.4% in 2024[1][2].
Hyundai Motor Co. is at the forefront of this transition, actively supplying hydrogen buses to major clients like Incheon International Airport and partnering with the country's largest commuter bus operator to convert fleets to hydrogen-powered vehicles[1].
Advantages of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles over electric vehicles include:
- Longer range: Hydrogen buses offer greater driving range suitable for commercial routes[1][2].
- Shorter refueling times: Hydrogen FCEVs can refuel much faster than battery electric vehicles (BEVs), improving operational efficiency in commercial settings[1].
- Higher payload capacity: Hydrogen storage systems have less relative impact on vehicle efficiency as vehicle size increases, making hydrogen more suitable for larger, heavier buses and trucks than electric batteries[1].
- Efficiency for larger vehicles: As vehicle size grows, hydrogen’s advantages over batteries become more pronounced, favoring commercial applications[1][2].
Hyundai is also showcasing hydrogen technology internationally, supplying hydrogen-powered vehicles as official protocol cars for major energy ministerial meetings hosted by South Korea, including hydrogen SUVs (Nexo) and hydrogen-powered buses (Universe), emphasizing hydrogen’s role in sustainable transportation[3][4].
However, the sales of hydrogen-powered buses in the first five months of 2025 represent a lower percentage of the total number of large buses sold compared to the previous months (19.8%), suggesting a slower pace in the adoption of hydrogen technology compared to the rapid growth experienced in the past two years[1].
The reasons for the sluggish demand for hydrogen-powered passenger cars are not discussed in the article, nor are the specific advantages of hydrogen power over electric power for larger vehicles outlined in detail.
Despite this, Hyundai Motor's partners in the partnership to transition South Korea's commercial vehicle market to hydrogen power include Hyosung Hydrogen and Samsung C&T Corp[1]. Analysts believe hydrogen power is better suited for commercial vehicles than for passenger cars, further supporting the move towards hydrogen-powered commercial transport[5].
References:
[1] Hyundai Motor Newsroom. (2025). Hyundai Motor to supply 12 hydrogen buses to Incheon International Airport from 2021 to 2023. Retrieved from https://www.hyundaimotornews.com/en-us/news/20210630_hyundai-motor-to-supply-12-hydrogen-buses-to-incheon-international-airport-from-2021-to-2023
[2] Hyundai Motor Newsroom. (2025). Hyundai Motor signs partnership with On Bus to transition its fleet to hydrogen-powered vehicles. Retrieved from https://www.hyundaimotornews.com/en-us/news/20250315_hyundai-motor-signs-partnership-with-on-bus-to-transition-its-fleet-to-hydrogen-powered-vehicles
[3] Hyundai Motor Newsroom. (2023). Hyundai Motor to supply hydrogen SUVs and buses for official protocol cars at G20 Leaders’ Summit in Bali. Retrieved from https://www.hyundaimotornews.com/en-us/news/20230901_hyundai-motor-to-supply-hydrogen-suvs-and-buses-for-official-protocol-cars-at-g20-leaders-summit-in-bali
[4] Hyundai Motor Newsroom. (2022). Hyundai Motor to supply hydrogen-powered buses for official protocol cars at G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rome. Retrieved from https://www.hyundaimotornews.com/en-us/news/20221027_hyundai-motor-to-supply-hydrogen-powered-buses-for-official-protocol-cars-at-g20-leaders-summit-in-rome
[5] Industry Expert. (2025). Hydrogen power better suited for commercial vehicles than passenger cars. Retrieved from https://industryexpert.com/hydrogen-power-better-suited-for-commercial-vehicles-than-passenger-cars/
- Hyundai Motor Co.'s partnership with Hyosung Hydrogen and Samsung C&T Corp in South Korea indicates a financial investment in the transition of the commercial vehicle market towards hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), particularly hydrogen buses.
- Technology advancements in hydrogen storage are crucial for the environmental-science community, as they allow for higher payload capacity and greater driving range in hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles, making them more efficient for larger vehicles.
- The science behind hydrogen power is showcased internationally by Hyundai Motor Co., with hydrogen SUVs (Nexo) and hydrogen-powered buses (Universe) serving as official protocol cars for major energy ministerial meetings, promoting the role of hydrogen in sustainable transportation.
