Kia Joins Clean Energy Partnership to Promote Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

Kia is one of the companies making efforts to develop fuel cell vehicles, with the South Korean automotive producer planning to join the Clean Energy Partnership this year.

The company has reached an agreement with the members of the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP), with the move being aimed at promoting Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) in Germany.

“With Kia coming on board, the CEP will gain another strong partner from the automotive industry. We believe this can advance the commercialisation of fuel cell vehicles,” said Patrick Schnell, Chairman of the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP).

“By participating in the Clean Energy Partnership, Kia intends to generate further momentum in finding ways to better fuel cell technology and performance,” said Dr. Hyun Soon Lee, Vice Chairman and head of Hyundai-Kia R&D.

The initial agreement was signed during a special ceremony that was held yesterday is Seoul, with the event being attended by Dr. Hyun Soon Lee, Dr. Klaus Bonhoff, Managing Director of NOW GmbH (National Organization of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology), Patrick Schnell, Chairman of the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) and other CEP members.

“The German Federal Government, together with stakeholders from various industry sectors and academia, set up the National Innovation Programme to support the market preparation of fuel cell technology in Germany. The combined budget for the Programme amounts to Euro 1.4 billion and covers the period 2007-2016,” explained the press release.

Last year, Kia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with four Northern European countries to run a fleet of FCEVs in the European market for testing purposes.