Huge investment will see Hyundai dramatically ramp up fuel-cell production over the next 12 years

Hyundai and Kia have announced they will boost annual fuel-cell production from today’s 3000 units to more than 700,000 by 2030.

The Hyundai Motor Group and its suppliers will invest an incredible $US6.7 billion ($A9.2b) over the next 12 years in gamble on hydrogen technology that will see the Korean car-maker become the key global player in the zero-emission fuel.

Hyundai’s (and Kia’s) commitment to fuel-cell technology mirrors Toyota’s but the latest announcement confirming it is prepared to put its money where its mouth is, has been viewed as unprecedented in the industry.

Set to create more than 51,000 jobs over the next decade, the South Korean government confirmed it will back its domestic manufacturer by establishing 310 new hydrogen filling stations in South Korea by 2022.

The Hyundai NEXO (pictured) was unveiled earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas as the company’s most advanced fuel-cell model, and Hyundai is now tipped to introduce its fuel-cells cars to China.

It’s not just its car line-up that will benefit from Hyundai’s hydrogen push. Hyundai claims that out of the 700,000 fuel-cells it will make by 2030, 500,000 will be for passenger vehicles and another 200,000 units will be produced for other industries.

This includes using the technology — which emits only water vapour — to power drones, locomotives and even ships.

A second fuel-cell factory will be opened in Chungju, South Korea to help boost fuel-cell output.

Hyundai is banking on fuel-cell demand increasing significantly. It already has a collaboration with Aurora, a start-up created by former execs from Google, Tesla and Uber, who are aiming to create a fleet of fully autonomous ride-share vehicles with a range of more than 600km.

The Korean car-maker has also announced a deal that could see it share its hydrogen tech with the Volkswagen Group.