Hyundai, Air Liquide team up to tap China’s hydrogen vehicle market

Hyundai Motor Group is teaming up with French industrial gas company L‘Air Liquide SA (Air Liquide) to expand its presence in China’s hydrogen-powered commercial vehicle market.

Hyundai Motor Group said Monday that HTWO Guangzhou, its first overseas hydrogen fuel cell system production base, established in 2023, signed a memorandum of understanding with Air Liquide China Holding Co., the French company’s Chinese subsidiary, on Friday at the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE 2026) in Shanghai.

Under the agreement, HTWO Guangzhou will contribute its research and development (R&D), production and sales capabilities in hydrogen fuel cell systems, while Air Liquide China will provide expertise in hydrogen production, storage and transportation, as well as the installation and operation of hydrogen refueling stations.

The companies aim to combine their capabilities to develop an integrated business model linking commercial vehicles, refueling infrastructure, and hydrogen supply.

They will explore pilot projects at logistics hubs and along long-haul freight routes to test hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles and supporting supply and refueling networks under real-world operating conditions.

The projects will focus on improving the commercial viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles by lowering their total cost of ownership (TCO), including vehicle acquisition, maintenance and operating expenses, and fuel supply costs. Specific locations and operating models will be determined through further discussions.