South Korean automaker Hyundai and British oil and gas supermajor Shell have inked a deal to make Shell’s EV charging solutions company the charge point operator and mobility service provider for Hyundai’s luxury vehicle division, Genesis.
The two companies have also announced plans to investigate “integrated hydrogen solutions” which would see Hyundai supplying fuel cell trucks and Shell focusing on hydrogen infrastructure for fleet customers.
Hyundai and Shell have been collaborating already for several years, but this new strategic partnership – which was heralded on Monday by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) – will draw on the companies’ joint expertise in EV charging, hydrogen, low carbon energy solutions, and digital technology.
Jaehoon Chang, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company said the agreement has been borne out of “promising synergies” that would allow the two companies to “thrive during the transition to future mobility and clean energy solutions.”
Huibert Vigeveno, Shell’s downstream director, said the company was taking up a new opportunity to work with its customers to help accelerate their carbon emission reduction plans.
“To succeed we will have to break into new growth markets and work at a scale we have not seen before,” he said.
The collaboration will start with Shell Recharge Solutions becoming the charge point operator and mobility service provider for Hyundai’s luxury vehicle division Genesis.
Genesis owners will be able to charge on-the-go, at home, and at destinations with Shell – starting initially in the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, but with plans to grow the partnership throughout Europe.
The agreement plays a huge part in helping Genesis meet its goal of making all new car models zero emission by 2025, and 100% of the brand’s line-up by 2030.
Beyond providing EV charging solutions for Genesis, the new expanded collaboration will pursue EV network and service offerings across the United States, Europe, and Asia and opportunities to supply Shell renewable energy at Hyundai’s business facilities and global manufacturing plants.
The deal will also explore the creation of digital projects based on Shell’s experience of in-car services and could include everything from vehicle management through to smart maintenance.
On hydrogen, the two companies will investigate the possibility of providing integrated hydrogen solutions which would see Hyundai supplying fuel cell trucks while Shell provided hydrogen infrastructure for targeted fleet customers.
Hyundai will also continue to participate in Shell’s project to expand California’s hydrogen infrastructure to meet increasing consumer demand for fuelling options for vehicles like the Nexo SUV, while also pursuing opportunities where Hyundai could supply fuel cell trucks for Shell’s operations – which could also expand to see Hyundai provide battery EVs for Shell’s fleet.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.