VW, Hyundai to Collaborate on Fuel Cell Tech

Hyundai Motor Group and Volkswagen AG have signed a cross-licensing agreement under which the companies will cooperate on fuel cell vehicle components and technologies.  

The multi-year deal, which also involves future research and development activities, will be led by VW’s Audi arm and Hyundai’s namesake brand. But other VW Group members and Hyundai’s Kia affiliate also will have access to the pact’s covered technologies.

Hyundai has been selling the fuel cell-powered Tucson/ix35 crossover vehicle in limited volumes for about five years. The next-generation Nexo crossover (pictured) is due to bow later this year in the U.S. and other select markets.

Audi, which has shown several concept fuel cell vehicles in recent years, has a separate development agreement with Canada’s Ballard power Systems Inc. The partners signed a five-year extension earlier this month.

Under the new agreement, Audi/VW will gain immediate access to Hyundai’s expertise and gain access to the South Korean carmaker’s fuel cell supply chain. This includes affiliate Hyundai Mobis Co., which opened a fuel cell components plant last year in Chungju, South Korea. The factory has annual capacity to build 3,000 integrated fuel cell modules, comprised of fuel stacks, drive motors, power electronic components and hydrogen fuel supply units.

Hyundai hopes the VW deal will help increase demand and production of fuel cell vehicles and related components. This in turn should help reduce costs and create greater competition to further improve fuel cell-related technologies, the company reasons.