SEOUL — South Korea's infrastructure for fueling hydrogen-powered vehicles has shown signs of strain over the past three years, according to findings released by the Korea Automobile and Mobility Association (KAMA) on Sunday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the ratio of hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to charging stations has worsened, reaching 203 vehicles per station in March of this year, up from 180 vehicles per station in March 2021. This increase indicates a growing scarcity of available refueling options for hydrogen car owners amidst the country's push towards cleaner transportation options.
During the last three years, the surge in hydrogen vehicle registrations outpaced the development of new hydrogen refueling stations. Registrations of hydrogen cars swelled to 34,872 units, up from 12,439, while the number of refueling stations only increased to 172 from 69. This discrepancy highlights the logistical challenges faced by the burgeoning hydrogen vehicle market in South Korea.
Regionally, Sejong, located 113 kilometers south of Seoul, experienced the most significant deterioration in its hydrogen refueling infrastructure, with the number of hydrogen cars per station rising dramatically to 224 from just 53. Conversely, Gangwon Province saw an improvement, where the number of hydrogen vehicles per station decreased to 226 from 484, suggesting a relative enhancement in the availability of hydrogen refueling options in that area.
The data underscores the pressing need for South Korea to accelerate the development of its hydrogen charging infrastructure to keep pace with the growing adoption of FCEVs, ensuring the sustainability of this eco-friendly mode of transportation.