Incheon Airport is ushering in a hydrogen revolution with a massive new liquid hydrogen fueling station. Located in Terminal 2‘s car park, this frigid fueling hub operates at a bone-chilling -253°C. Not exactly beach weather.
The 2,771-square-meter facility can pump out 320 kg of hydrogen per hour, enough to power 240 large hydrogen buses daily. That’s a lot of buses.
A massive 2,771-square-meter hydrogen hub producing enough frigid fuel to power 240 buses daily. Cold capability, hot potential.
The station isn’t just for show. Already, 36 of Incheon’s 68 shuttle buses run on hydrogen, with more coming soon. The facility supports sustainable transportation at one of Asia’s busiest airports. These buses aren’t lounging around either – they clock an average of 548 km daily on routes to surrounding regions.
Incheon recently ordered 700 fuel cell buses from Hyundai. Talk about commitment.
Building this frozen fuel paradise wasn’t cheap. The project cost 14.3 billion Won (about $10.5 million), with funding split between the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Incheon City, and private investment from Hyverse, an SK Innovation subsidiary.
Started in January 2023, it’ll be completed by January 2026.
The liquid hydrogen comes from SK’s plant in Seo-Gu, Incheon – the world’s largest single-plant liquefied hydrogen facility, churning out 90 tons daily.
The liquid form shrinks hydrogen to 1/800 of its gaseous volume. Efficiency matters, folks.
Each hydrogen bus slashes greenhouse gas emissions by 56 tonnes yearly. Do the math – that’s serious carbon cutting. Unlike geothermal plants that offer 96% capacity factor, hydrogen vehicles provide mobile clean energy solutions. The SK Innovation subsidiary Hyverse operates the station, demonstrating their commitment to advancing hydrogen technology. The station supports Incheon’s ambitious plan for 100% hydrogen city buses by 2030. Dreaming big.
This isn’t just any hydrogen station. It’s the 16th in the Incheon area and third at the airport, strategically positioned to service the airport expressway‘s daily 172,000 vehicles.
Beyond buses, it’ll fuel limousines, service vehicles, and private cars.
Developed by Hyverse with involvement from multiple stakeholders, including the Incheon Metropolitan Government and Airport Corporation, this ultra-cold station represents South Korea’s bold step toward a hydrogen-powered future.
Freezing temperatures, hot innovation.
References
- https://longbridge.com/en/news/274300505
- https://h2eg.com/h2-view-news-liquid-hydrogen-station-launched-at-south-korean-airport/
- https://www.electrive.com/2026/01/30/new-hydrogen-refuelling-station-at-incheon-airport/
- https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-industry/2026/01/29/EZVLSTVHC5CLBI73EU3UCA66J4/
- https://en.sedaily.com/society/2026/01/30/incheon-airport-launches-liquid-hydrogen-station-capable-of
- https://www.mk.co.kr/en/business/11947381
- https://www.h2-view.com/story/liquid-hydrogen-station-launched-at-south-korean-airport/2137098.article/
- https://dbr.donga.com/kfocus/view/en/article_no/1882
- https://www.qcintel.com/hydrogen/article/incheon-international-airport-launches-liquefied-hydrogen-mobility-hub-57738.html
