Surprising brand signs up to hydrogen cars: Skoda announces partnership with Hyundai to advance hydrogen fuel cell capabilities

Skoda has become the latest automaker to decide it wants in on Hyundai's hydrogen fuel cell capability.

The Czech brand signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the South Korean automotive giant last week, paving the way for close collaboration on a Skoda-branded hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in the future.

“We believe that hydrogen, alongside energy-efficient solutions, will play an essential role in transforming mobility for a more sustainable future," said Petr Novotný, CEO of Skoda Group.

"Our collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company aims at enabling us to look beyond national borders and explore wider markets where these technologies can have a larger impact."

According to a press release issued by both automakers, the MOU will open up the possibility of Hyundai – who is already a big investor in hydrogen – sharing its fuel cell technology with Skoda.

In 2021, Hyundai poured $1.6 billion into two hydrogen fuel cell plants in its native South Korea. At full capacity the plants are expected to produce 100,000 fuel cells every year.

The brand is one of only a few automakers with a hydrogen vehicle in its catalogue.

It released its first hydrogen vehicle – the Nexo SUV – to the international market in 2018. It arrived in Australia in 2021, although the vehicle is currently only available under special leasing arrangements, which it currently runs with the ACT and QLD governments.

CarScoops recently reported Hyundai’s second-generation Nexo SUV, which is flagged for a 2025 release date, was spotted testing under heavy camouflage. It is rumoured to deliver 804km of range.

2025 Hyundai Nexo SUV (Image: Carscoops)

Hyundai Australia’s boss, John Kett, confirmed the next-generation model would be headed for Australian shores in June this year.

“We’ll have a chance to see the next-generation Nexo and it looks incredible. We’ll definitely be getting that and we’ll talk about that more when we’re ready to talk about it,” said Kett.

Due to its high energy storage, hydrogen fuel cell technology is generally considered to deliver more range and higher payloads than conventional lithium batteries, making the technology ideal for commercial vehicles, utes and SUVs.

However, the process of converting electricity into hydrogen fuel is somewhat controversial given it requires energy intensive processes, primarily from unrenewable sources, to produce it. Battery electric vehicles, on the other hand, draw on power straight from the grid.

Skoda’s partnership with Hyundai follows similar partnerships between Hyundai and GM, as well as Toyota and BMW, the latter of which hopes to launch a hydrogen car for the mainstream market by 2028.

Interestingly, Skoda’s parent company – Volkswagen – has not expressed any interest in adopting its own hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.