Battery Electric Rise, Hydrogen Falters: Lessons From South Korea - CleanTechnica

South Korea's ambitious 2019 plan to become a global leader in hydrogen transportation, highlighted by a government pledge to replace all 802 police buses with hydrogen fuel cell models by 2028, has largely faltered. Despite significant investment—over $7.2 million spent—and initial enthusiasm from Hyundai and government ministries, only 16 hydrogen police buses are expected to be operational by the end of 2025. The police have refused to purchase more due to unreliable fueling infrastructure, with many hydrogen stations having limited hours, rationing fuel, or frequent outages. This unreliability undermines the operational readiness required for police deployment, effectively ending the program. The failure of South Korea’s hydrogen bus initiative reveals deeper challenges in the country’s hydrogen transportation strategy. Hydrogen buses remain more expensive to buy and operate than battery electric alternatives, with costly and often unreliable fueling stations. Safety concerns also surfaced, notably a December 2024 explosion of a hydrogen bus that injured several people. These practical issues contrast sharply with