Hyundai Motor President and CEO Jaehoon Chang Named New Co-Chair of Hydrogen CouncilThe Hydrogen Council has appointed Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, as its latest Co-Chair alongside Sanjiv Lamba, CEO of Linde.
In this capacity, the two Co-Chairs will collaborate closely with member CEOs to advance the Hydrogen Council’s mission. Their focus will be on stimulating global demand for hydrogen and establishing frameworks for international trade and accelerated investment.
Chang succeeds Yoshinori Kanehana of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., who served as Co-Chair for the past two and a half years. Hyundai Motor has been pivotal in hydrogen technology development since establishing its Fuel Cell R&D division in 1998.
Under Chang’s leadership, Hyundai Motor has achieved significant milestones in the hydrogen sector:
- Developed an independent fuel cell stack in 2004
- Launched the world’s first mass-produced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), the Tucson ix35 FCEV, in 2013
- Mass production of the NEXO, the first dedicated FCEV, in 2018
- Introduced the XCIENT Fuel Cell, the world’s first mass-produced heavy-duty hydrogen-powered truck, in 2020
During CES 2024, Hyundai Motor outlined its expansion plans for HTWO, its hydrogen fuel cell system brand, covering the entire value chain from production to utilization. In May, the company showcased its U.S. clean logistics business at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo 2024, underscoring its commitment to advancing the global hydrogen ecosystem.
Hyundai Motor’s XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks have proven their reliability, surpassing 10 million kilometers in Swiss fleet operations. Chang, known for his proactive stance in promoting hydrogen economies, will leverage his role as Co-Chair to address global hydrogen energy demands and foster collaboration among Council members to drive global trade and investment in hydrogen technology.
