A hydrogen charging station in Seoul's National Assembly opened on Sept. 10. It is expected that it will help with infrastructure for charging hydrogen electric vehicles in downtown areas that are lacking. It is also expected to help dispel some safety concerns about hydrogen charging stations with the symbol of "within the National Assembly."
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held a ceremony to mark the completion of the hydrogen charging station at the National Assembly on Sept. 10. The government announced a roadmap for the hydrogen economy in January this year to distribute 6.2 million hydrogen electric vehicles at home and abroad by 2040, and establish 1,200 hydrogen charging stations nationwide.
As of the end of last year, there were 800 hydrogen-powered electric cars and only 14 charging stations, but the company plans to supply 4,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles and 86 more charging stations immediately this year.
As of the end of August, the accumulated number of hydrogen electric vehicles has already increased to 2,955 units, and the number of hydrogen charging stations has also increased to 29 across the country. There are three places in Seoul.
In February, the government decided to select three to five hydrogen charging stations in Seoul, including the National Assembly, as the No. 1 regulatory sandbox system, which was introduced earlier this year, and to allow the government to carry out pilot projects.
The government also plans to give formal approval after revising the statute during the four-year verification period. After the application of the special regulations, Hyundai Motor spent about 4 billion won to start operations here seven months after the start of construction.
In particular, it is expected to gain momentum for hydrogen charging station projects across the country, which have been plagued by concerns over the safety of residents, due to its symbolism as the National Assembly.
The ministry will start a pilot project for hydrogen taxis in Seoul. Under the government support, the ministry and the Seoul city plan to operate a total of 10 hydrogen-powered car taxis. They will increase its operation to 20 units in 2022. The Seoul city has already been piloting the hydrogen bus since November last year.
"Since the announcement of the roadmap for the hydrogen economy in January, we have been pushing forward each task without a hitch," said Minister of Industry Sung Yun-mo. "We expect the National Assembly's hydrogen charging station and hydrogen taxi businesses to help spread hydrogen-powered cars and foster related industries."
