Hyundai Motor’s HTWO Guangzhou Partners with Air Liquide China on Hydrogen Mobility

Combining hydrogen fuel cell technology with infrastructure capabilities
Seeking demonstration models linking vehicles, refueling infrastructure and hydrogen supply

HTWO Guangzhou, Hyundai Motor Group’s first overseas production base for hydrogen fuel cell systems, is joining forces with Air Liquide China, the Chinese subsidiary of French global gas company Air Liquide, to expand its hydrogen mobility business in China.

HTWO Guangzhou said on November 9 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Air Liquide China to cooperate in the hydrogen mobility sector at the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE 2026), held in Shanghai, China, on November 6.

From left, Executive Director Choi Duha, head of commercial hydrogen operations for China at Hyundai Motor and general manager of HTWO Guangzhou; HTWO Guangzhou Manager Son Heunggi; Air Liquide China Deputy Director Clement Rix; and Air Liquide China Deputy General Manager Chen Xing pose for a commemorative photo at the signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding. Hyundai Motor Group

Attendees at the signing ceremony included Choi Duha, Hyundai Motor’s head of commercial hydrogen operations in China and general manager of HTWO Guangzhou, and Rui Coelho, CEO of Air Liquide China, along with other representatives from both companies.

The two companies plan to combine HTWO Guangzhou’s hydrogen fuel cell system technology with Air Liquide China’s capabilities in hydrogen production, storage, transportation and infrastructure development to cooperate across the hydrogen mobility value chain.

HTWO Guangzhou is responsible for the research and development, production and sales of hydrogen fuel cell systems. It develops technologies and products tailored to demand in China’s commercial vehicle market and is expanding its business into hydrogen logistics and commercial vehicles. This year, it was named the only foreign-invested company among 96 leading companies in Guangzhou’s hydrogen energy industry chain.

Air Liquide China operates hydrogen infrastructure businesses in China, including hydrogen production, storage and transportation, as well as the construction, installation and operation of hydrogen refueling stations.

Drawing on their respective capabilities, the two companies plan to identify demonstration models that link hydrogen supply with the operation of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles in real-world transportation settings, including logistics hubs and trunk routes. They will focus on integrating vehicle transportation, refueling infrastructure and hydrogen supply to verify operating efficiency and improve the economics of hydrogen mobility, including by reducing total cost of ownership (TCO).

Choi Duha, general manager of HTWO Guangzhou, said, "We continue to work to expand the use of hydrogen fuel cells in China’s commercial vehicle market, drawing on our research and development and production capabilities in hydrogen fuel cells. Through this collaboration, we plan to explore a value-chain business model that links vehicle transportation, refueling infrastructure and hydrogen supply, and contribute to China’s hydrogen mobility industry."

Chen Xing, deputy general manager of Air Liquide China, said, "By combining our respective strengths, we will expand cooperation in various areas, including hydrogen logistics and vehicle demonstrations, and seek hydrogen mobility solutions that are economically viable and sustainable. We look forward to contributing to the green transition of China’s transportation sector."

The two companies will discuss specific application scenarios and cooperation plans, and work with various partners across the hydrogen industry value chain to identify business models suited to the Chinese market. They also aim to contribute to China’s "dual carbon" goals of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 by expanding the adoption of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the logistics sector.

Hyundai Motor Group and Air Liquide have maintained strategic cooperation since 2018 in various areas, including revitalizing the hydrogen electric vehicle market, expanding the use of hydrogen as clean energy, and developing business models for hydrogen refueling stations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.