Hyundai collaborates with Georgia Tech on EV fuel cell technology

September 20th, 2023

Chancellor Sonny Perdue and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, hold up a new memorandum of understanding for future mobility collaboration during a ceremony on Georgia Tech's campus in Atlanta, Ga on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

The Hyundai Motor Company is partnering with Georgia Tech to collaborate on EV fuel cell technology, with the two organizations signing an agreement Monday to collaborate on research and applications to expand EV development.

The partnership aims to target EV and hydrogen research, support workforce development and work on sustainability for Hyundai’s EV factory near the Georgia coast and a battery plant in Bartow County.

José Muñoz, President & CEO at Hyundai Motor America, says that this partnership aims to build up the hydrogen economy in the state.

“The fuel cell EVs based off of hydrogen are the best technology we see for a heavy-duty, and then a very long range,” Muñoz said. “Georgia Tech is very advanced in this field.”

The South Korean automaker has made significant investments in Georgia, including a $7.6 billion EV manufacturing plant and battery factory near Savannah that could bring thousands of jobs to the area.

Production at the plant is set to begin in 2025, with the plant near Savannah estimated to need 8,500 workers, and the battery plants are expected to hire 3,500 employees. Munoz said the jobs require workers with advanced high-tech skills.

“As a computer science guy, I find all of this EV and smart city push to be very interesting,” added Tyler Katchen, third year student and Joint Vice President of Information Technology of Georgia Tech’s Undergraduate Executive Branch.

“I think it’s going to be very interesting career-wise with all the research opportunities and then present some interesting technical problems that hopefully Georgia Tech can help solve.”

The technology, while novel in the U.S., is used at other Hyundai factories and could put Georgia Tech — and the Peach State — on the cutting-edge of transforming large truck travel and logistics.