At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, hydrogen energy’s role in the automotive industry has emerged as a key topic. In response to the collective push to decrease emissions and the growing popularity of electric vehicles, both manufacturers and drivers are exploring eco-friendly alternatives for the future of transportation.
Hyundai, a South Korean automotive company, used CES 2024 as a platform to signal its commitment to a ‘hydrogen society.’ The company announced plans to expand its facilities to accommodate increased energy production, storage, and transportation. During the showcase, Hyundai Motor unveiled its intention to extend HTWO, its existing fuel cell brand, into the Group’s hydrogen value chain business brand. Additionally, they introduced the ‘HTWO Grid’ solution, aiming to expedite the transition to a hydrogen-powered future.
Surprisingly, German tech giant Bosch also joined the ranks of companies endorsing the future of hydrogen energy in automobiles. Bosch, actively pursuing the electrification of its technologies for sustainable energy use, views hydrogen as a crucial component of this strategy. At CES 2024, Bosch announced the upcoming launch of its first combustion energy engine later in the year.
Tanja Rückert, a board member at Robert Bosch GmbH, emphasised their commitment to meeting global energy needs more efficiently. She stated, “For a low-emissions future, we are optimizing the use of traditional energy sources by driving forward electrification in mobility, commercial buildings, and homes. And we are tapping into new, sustainable energy sources – with hydrogen playing a central role.”
Honda, aligned with Toyota and Hyundai, sees a future for hydrogen fuel cell technology in passenger cars, especially once the ‘battery EV era’ gains full momentum. Despite being a long-time advocate of hydrogen cars, Honda has recently launched a fuel cell version of the current CR-V in collaboration with General Motors in the US and Japan.
The company envisions fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) becoming a staple in its global line-up, with a bold commitment that 100% of its car sales will be either battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell by 2040, without specifying the expected distribution.
As the automotive industry explores cleaner alternatives, the question arises: Is hydrogen the future of motoring?