Audi AG and Hyundai Motor Group have announced a partnership to develop fuel cell technology with the goal of increasing their presence in the fuel cell electric vehicle market. Hyundai was actually the first mass producer of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) but is not currently a major player in the market. They did recently introduce the Nexo, the first dedicated hydrogen-powered SUV.

As part of the agreement between Audi and Hyundai, both groups will have mutual access to fuel cell components and Audi will have access to knowledge from the development of the Nexo and its predecessors.

“The fuel cell is the most systematic form of electric driving and thus a potent asset in our technology portfolio for the emission-free premium mobility of the future,” said Peter Mertens, board member for Technical Development at Audi.

There is precedent for this type of partnership as Honda and GM also plan to mass produce advanced hydrogen fuel cell systems under their joint venture, Fuel Cell System Manufacturing beginning in 2020.

“This agreement is another example of Hyundai’s strong commitment to creating a more sustainable future whilst enhancing consumers’ lives with hydrogen-powered vehicles, the fastest way to a truly zero-emission world,” said Euisun Chung, vice chairman at Hyundai Motor Company.