The Ministry of Environment (Minister Kim Wansup) and the Metropolitan Transport Commission (MTC, Chairperson Kang Hee-eup) of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that they will hold a briefing session on September 11 in the afternoon at the Royal Hotel Seoul (located in Jung-gu, Seoul) to promote the expansion of hydrogen buses on bus routes in the metropolitan area. 

This briefing session is aimed at officials in charge of metropolitan bus routes from Gyeonggi-do and Incheon Metropolitan City, as well as representatives from bus companies operating in those areas. It has been organized to enhance the understanding of the hydrogen bus among the relevant staff. 

The briefing will begin with a presentation on the Ministry of Environment’s hydrogen bus supply plan and current support status. It will also cover topics such as: 1) the MTC’s plan for transitioning metropolitan buses to hydrogen buses, 2) specifications of hydrogen buses from Hyundai Motor Company and HyAxiom Motors, and 3) the current status and future plans for hydrogen refueling stations for hydrogen commercial vehicles established by SK E&S and KOHYGEN.

According to the 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target for greenhouse gas reduction, a total of 21,200 hydrogen buses are planned for deployment by 2030. As of August 31 this year, 1,185 hydrogen buses have already been deployed. Currently, around 40 hydrogen buses operate on metropolitan bus routes in the capital region. In addition, the ‘2nd Basic Plan for Metropolitan Area Transportation (2021-2040)’ aims to have 25% of all metropolitan buses powered by hydrogen by 2030.

* As of September 2024, 96.3% of the 327 metropolitan bus routes are located in the capital region.

Hydrogen buses are zero-emission vehicles that do not emit air pollutants. Compared to electric buses, they have a longer driving range* and shorter refueling time, making them more suitable for metropolitan bus routes that require longer travel distances.

* (Driving range) Hydrogen buses can travel over approximately 500 km.

It is known that internal combustion engine buses emit about 30 times more greenhouse gases and approximately 43 times more fine dust compared to passenger vehicles. Therefore, transitioning internal combustion engine metropolitan buses to hydrogen buses can lead to significant reductions in both air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.

Lee Jung-hee, Director General of the Metropolitan Transport Policy Bureau at MTC, stated, “Out of the 10 newly established semi-public metropolitan bus routes (77 buses) this year, we are currently seeking transport operators for three routes (23 buses) under the condition that hydrogen buses will be introduced.” She added, “We will actively expand the introduction of hydrogen buses not only for existing replacements and decommissioned vehicles but also for new metropolitan bus routes, taking into account the feasibility of introducing them when hydrogen refueling stations are secured near the bus origin areas.”

Oh Il-young, Director General of Air Quality Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, stated, “Starting in the second half of this year, HyAxiom Motors (Doosan) will be added as a new domestic hydrogen bus manufacturer following Hyundai Motor Company. The expansion of liquefied hydrogen refueling stations and large-capacity gaseous hydrogen refueling stations in the capital region is improving the conditions for deploying hydrogen metropolitan buses that consume large amounts of hydrogen.” He continued, “The government will spare no effort in supporting the development of the hydrogen vehicle ecosystem along with a firm commitment to carbon neutrality, and we hope everyone will work together to enhance the deployment of hydrogen metropolitan buses in the capital region.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com