Doosan Corp., a South Korean multinational conglomerate, has reportedly announced that it would be developing of a hydrogen-based power pack for land-based commercial vehicles. The move would supposedly mark the groups’ entry into the hydrogen powered vehicle market.

An official from the Doosan Fuel Cell, the hydrogen business unit of Doosan, states that the company will be developing a hydrogen power pack designed for land vehicles, and is also actively reviewing plans for a complete charging solution that can be installed at bus depots to charge hydrogen as well as electric buses.

This will be the first time that Doosan will manufacture hydrogen power packs for cars, having previously done so for drones only.

Hydrogen power pack is a type of generator that has fuel cells that generate electricity that powers an electric motor, similar to an engine of an internal combustion engine vehicle.

This move comes as the South Korean government pushes for a hydrogen economy in the country following the hydrogen blueprint that was announced back in 2019, wherein public buses are to be replaced by hydrogen buses, with plans to make 2,000 such units available as public transport by next year.

The government aims to have 40,000 hydrogen buses on road, and 20,000 units exported, by 2040. With respect to hydrogen trucks, the goal is outlined as follows; 30,000 hydrogen trucks for on road domestic use and with 90,000 units for export.

With Doosan’s Tri-gen technology, that can create up to 220 kgs of hydrogen, and generate somewhere between 350-450 kW of electricity on a daily basis, the firm would be providing the government a cheaper solution with no requirement for additional grid infrastructure, the company will give fierce competition to Hyundai Motors, which has already taken initiative in the market.

Hyundai Motors aims to deliver around 20,000 hydrogen truck units before the year ends and export up to 60,000 more. The carmaker has also started production of hydrogen buses, which will have a driving range of up to 450km.

Industry experts suggest that with Hyundai Motor having a weaker standing in the hydrogen vehicle market, Doosan will have a better window of opportunity in it.

Source credit: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20211121000167&np=1&mp=1