Korean construction machinery manufacturers ready hydrogen era

HD Hyundai XiteSolution Co.’s hydrogen excavator. [Courtesy of HD Hyundai XiteSolution]

South Korean construction machinery companies are gearing up for the hydrogen era by joining hands with different partners as hydrogen requires preemptive research given its advantage in the working conditions of excavators and forklifts.

According to multiple industry sources on Sunday, HD Hyundai XiteSolution Co. is developing hydrogen products in partnership with Hyundai Mobis Co., an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group.

HD Hyundai XiteSolution is the intermediate holding company of HD Hyundai Co.’s construction machinery business. It has built prototypes of excavators and forklifts equipped with hydrogen fuel cells from Hyundai Mobis and is conducting verification tests.

HD Hyundai XiteSolution’s hydrogen excavators target the larger product market while it prepares for secondary batteries in the small construction machinery market.

Excavators are heavy and current electric batteries cannot produce the power required for large equipment. A large hydrogen excavator developed in 2020 weighs 14 tons, which is seven times the size of a passenger electric vehicle of 2 tons.

“Hydrogen fuel cells have a higher energy density than secondary batteries, so they can generate more power,” said an official from HD Hyundai XiteSolution. “However, we are delaying the launch due to the lack of hydrogen refueling stations and plan to release a 15-ton hydrogen excavator in 2026.”

Doosan Bobcat Inc., the construction equipment company under Doosan Group, is also joining hands with SK Plug Hyverse for the hydrogen market. The two companies are developing and piloting a hydrogen forklift prototype.

SK Plug Hyverse specializes in the production of hydrogen fuel cells.

Hydrogen forklifts are considered to be more productive than forklifts powered by secondary batteries.

“Electric batteries require four to six hours of charging, while hydrogen fuel cells can be quickly charged in three to five minutes,“ said an official from the industry. “We can improve equipment operation rates and reduce the number of chargers.”

Doosan Bobcat plans to launch various hydrogen forklift products when more hydrogen refueling stations are built.