(LEAD) Hyundai to build hydrogen charging station at National Assembly
(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead and photo; ADDS details throughout)
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co. said Thursday it will build a commercial hydrogen charging station at the National Assembly by August in extended efforts to promote hydrogen vehicles.
It will be the first commercial hydrogen charging station in Seoul and the world's first such facility at a parliament building, Hyundai said in a statement.
"We will build more hydrogen charging stations in major cities as part of our broad efforts to establish the hydrogen infrastructure across the country," a Hyundai official said in the statement.
In the upcoming station, more than five hydrogen vehicles will be able to fully charge themselves per hour. It will initially run until May 2021 in a pilot project and continued operation will be decided later, the statement said.
The government hopes to relieve the public's concern over the safety of hydrogen charging stations by building one at the National Assembly, Industry Minister Sung Yun-mo said during a groundbreaking ceremony.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said it is aiming to increase the number of charging stations for hydrogen vehicles to 86 by the end of the year and to 310 by 2022 from the current 21.
The ministry plans to unveil a detailed road map on nationwide hydrogen charging infrastructure by August.
In January, the ministry unveiled its so-called hydrogen economy drive, which aims to use hydrogen as the main source of energy for cars instead of fossil fuel.
Over 6 million hydrogen-powered vehicles will be produced by 2040, soaring from around 2,000 units produced through 2018, the ministry said. A hydrogen fuel cell electric car is considered to be environment-friendly as it emits only water vapor as it generates electricity.
Hyundai has received 9,057 preorders for its Nexo hydrogen passenger car since its launch in March last year and has delivered 1,691 of them as of Thursday, the company said.

This photo taken May 30, 2019, shows government officials and Hyundai Motor executives participating in the groundbreaking ceremony of a hydrogen charging station at the National Assembly in Seoul. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
BTS' J-Hope tries long hair in photo book to be released this month
-
Ruling party, gov't mulling expanding heating bill support for middle class
-
DP hits back at Yoon's office over stock manipulation allegations involving first lady
-
Candidate registration opens for PPP leadership race
-
(LEAD) Candidate registration opens for PPP leadership race
-
DP hits back at Yoon's office over stock manipulation allegations involving first lady
-
Jay Park's Won Soju to be sold in U.S.
-
(2nd LD) Search under way for 9 missing after fishing boat capsizes
-
(LEAD) Ahn calls off campaigning activities amid row with Yoon's office
-
(LEAD) 7 of 10 S. Koreans support independent development of nuclear weapons: poll
-
(2nd LD) Search under way for 9 missing after fishing boat capsizes
-
(LEAD) Opposition party takes to streets to protest prosecution probes into leader
-
Journalist tapped as new spokesperson for presidential office
-
Pirates' Choi Ji-man dropped from S. Korean team for World Baseball Classic
-
(2nd LD) Families of crowd crush victims hold memorial rally in downtown Seoul