Automating refuelling and extending stack life show Hyundai treating uptime as the test hydrogen commercial vehicles must pass
Hyundai Motor Group has staged the first demonstration of a robot that automatically refuels hydrogen commercial vehicles, alongside a fuel cell system built for greater stack durability. Both feature in its World Hydrogen Expo 2026 display at KINTEX in Goyang, Korea, which also spans megawatt-scale electrolysis, waste-to-hydrogen production and rail.
The fuel cell system, shown publicly for the first time, uses upgraded cells and components to hold up over the long distances trucks and buses cover. The robot will refuel a fuel cell cleaning truck, sparing drivers a repetitive task, while the Bluelink Uptime Care platform monitors component condition and supports preventive maintenance, all aimed at keeping fleets running.
On the supply side, 12 stacks combine into a 5MW-class electrolyser module producing about 700 tonnes of hydrogen a year, with the design scalable to hundreds of megawatts. A 1MW containerised demonstrator runs in Gwangju and further sites are in development at Boryeong, Buan and Jeju, while a Cheongju facility converts organic waste into hydrogen.
Exhibits also include the 2027 Nexo SUV, a hydrogen locomotive model and a development Elec City Fuel Cell low-floor intercity bus built to meet a Korean requirement taking effect next year. Scenarios such as a Saemangeum AI Valley concept, linking solar-powered electrolysis with AI data centres and robotics manufacturing, show how the Group plans to match hydrogen output to local demand.
Source: Hyundai Motor Group
Source: www.automotiveworld.com
