SK, Hyundai Motor to supply 1,000 hydrogen buses to Busan for World Expo 2030

Sept. 19, 2022




By Park Jae-hyuk

SK E&S will push ahead with a project in collaboration with the government to supply 1,000 hydrogen buses to Busan, as part of efforts to support the bid by the nation's second-largest city to host World Expo 2030.

The energy company said Monday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Busan Metropolitan Government, the Ministry of Economy, Hyundai Motor, Busan Port Authority, Busan Metrobus Company Association and Busan Techno Park, to develop a hydrogen economy in the city.

Their agreement is mainly intended to support Busan's World Expo bid by making the city more environmentally friendly.

The partners seek to establish a hydrogen mobility infrastructure, including charging stations, and attract experts and companies specializing in hydrogen energy to the city, so that Busan can differentiate itself from competitors by pushing ahead with a "carbon-neutral expo" based on hydrogen energy.

Under the agreement, Busan and its partners will transform diesel and compressed natural gas buses into hydrogen buses by 2025. They will also build 10 hydrogen charging stations in Busan for the stable supply of the alternative fuel. In addition, they will nurture 10 companies specializing in hydrogen energy by 2030, supporting their R&Ds and manpower training programs.

Busan Port, a major global logistics hub, will have a hydrogen charging station, as well as ships and trucks powered by hydrogen, according to SK E&S.

"The year 2030 is the moment that the country should achieve its intermediate goals for reaching carbon neutrality by 2050," SK E&S CEO Choo Hyeong-wook said. "If Busan is transformed into a hydrogen city that leads carbon neutrality in the medium to long run, it will not only be able to host the World Expo successfully, but will also become a successful global example of an eco-friendly city."

Since SK Group and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Chey Tae-won was appointed to lead the civilian committee to support Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030, the conglomerate's top executives have participated in the World Expo taskforce to ask political leaders worldwide to vote for Busan.

Beginning with the latest agreement with Busan, SK E&S plans to make more efforts to support the city's bid to host one of the world's three largest international events.

Selected articles from The Korea Times