Hyundai Motor and Kia have entered into a partnership with Gore to develop Proton Exchange Membranes (PEM) for hydrogen fuel cell systems jointly. This collaboration focuses on creating an advanced fuel cell system specifically for commercial vehicles to enhance both durability and performance.
Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, and the U.S.-based company W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) have recently signed a collaborative agreement at the Mabuk Eco-Friendly R&D Center in Korea. This partnership is aimed at developing an advanced polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for hydrogen fuel cell systems.
The collaboration will cover essential aspects of PEM development, aiming to create an advanced PEM for the next generation of fuel-cell electric commercial vehicles. A hydrogen fuel cell uses PEM to transfer protons between two electrodes while blocking the direct mixing of hydrogen and oxygen gases. This process is key for generating electrical current to power vehicles, with the PEM technology being crucial for the system’s performance and durability.
Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Gore have been working together in the field of fuel cells for over 15 years. Building on this longstanding relationship, they now intend to co-develop an optimized fuel cell system for commercial vehicles, focusing on improving performance and durability.
Chang Hwan Kim, the Head of Battery Development and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Development at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation, expressed enthusiasm for the next phase of their partnership with Gore. He emphasized leveraging their 15-year collaboration to advance fuel cell technology and lead the market in fuel cell electric vehicles, contributing to a sustainable future.
Gore, known for its expertise in advanced materials and based in Delaware, USA, will contribute its experience in PEM, Catalyst coated Membrane, and MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) technology to the partnership. The collaboration aims to integrate Gore’s innovative PEM technology with Hyundai Motor and Kia’s fuel cell expertise to develop advanced fuel cell systems for various applications, including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and beyond.
Michelle Augustine, Gore Clean Energy Business Group Leader, expressed excitement about furthering their long-term partnership with Hyundai Motor and Kia. She highlighted the goal of using Gore’s advanced PEM technology to help Hyundai Motor and Kia deliver fuel cell vehicles that offer superior performance and cost benefits to consumers.
This collaboration is part of Hyundai Motor Group’s ongoing commitment to hydrogen technology, which spans over 25 years and includes the establishment of the HTWO hydrogen business brand in 2020. The Group is actively expanding its fuel cell business globally across various sectors, including passenger and commercial vehicles, marine vessels, aerospace, power generation, and more.
