Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) announced it had agreed to collaborate with Czech transportation and engineering firm Skoda Group to establish a hydrogen mobility ecosystem.

The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at a ceremony in Prague last week attended by Ken Ramirez, head of HMG’s global commercial vehicle and hydrogen business, and Skoda CEO Petr Novotny.

Hyundai said the MOU covered “studying the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell systems and technologies, evaluating the adoption of energy efficient solutions for mobility projects and products, and exploring hydrogen ecosystem and value chain opportunities beyond mobility”.

Ramirez said in a statement: “Our partnership aims to accelerate hydrogen adoption, which would contribute to the advancement of hydrogen technology and carbon neutrality across global markets, including the Czech Republic. We strive to lead the rapidly growing hydrogen businesses by creating positive synergies between our fuel cell technology and Skoda Group’s mobility products and projects.”

Novotny added: “We believe that hydrogen, alongside energy efficient solutions, will play an essential role in transforming mobility for a more sustainable future. Our collaboration aims at enabling us to look beyond national borders and explore wider markets where these technologies can have a larger impact. By working together, we can bring innovative, eco-friendly solutions to the global mobility ecosystem, advancing cleaner energy in the areas where it's needed most.”

Hyundai said the two partners “share the view that hydrogen will be a key pillar for a sustainable society, starting with mobility. As part of the MOU, the parties will explore the possibility that Hyundai would share its fuel cell system and technology, contributing to the acceleration of eco-friendly mobility across global markets where Skoda operates, including the Czech Republic.

The two companies will also conduct feasibility studies for fuel cell system applications for diverse utilisation beyond mobility.

"Leveraging its global expertise and insights in operating various hydrogen applications in both mobility and energy sectors, Hyundai is poised to play a pivotal role in aiding the energy transition.”