HYUNDAI is linking up with University College London to jointly research carbon-neutral future technologies.

The Korean car maker signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in areas of research and development for hydrogen production, hydrogen fuel cells and electrification technology with UCL at a ceremony in London prior to the UK-Korea Business Forum.

In attendance were government officials from both countries, including Moon-kyu Bang, South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and Nigel Huddleston, UK Secretary of State for International Trade; as well as Dong-wook Kim, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company; and Dr Michael Spence, President and Provost of UCL.

With both South Korea and UK aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, Hyundai Motor looks to accelerate the development of a hydrogen economy and realize a sustainable future mobility ecosystem through this MOU and continued research and development of eco-friendly technologies.

UCL is a prestigious research-oriented university that is consistently ranked at the top of global university rankings and has produced dozens of Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winners.

It is also a leader in hydrogen-related technologies and has recently strengthened its capabilities in automotive electrification research with the establishment of the Advanced Propulsion Lab in 2023.

"Through joint research with UCL, one of the UK's leading research universities, we will accelerate the pace of technological innovation in hydrogen production, fuel cells and electrification," said Jaehoon (Jay) Chang, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. "We hope that this collaboration will contribute to achieving carbon neutrality in the transportation sector, which is a goal shared by Korea and the UK."

UCL president and provost, Dr Michael Spence said: "New technologies, such as hydrogen generation, electric vehicles and fuel cells, are a fundamental part of international efforts to keep the global temperature rise within the goals set out in the Paris Agreement.

"This partnership will combine UCL's world-leading engineering research with Hyundai's expertise as one of the world's leading automotive companies to accelerate the development of these vital technologies."