ULSAN — Ulsan is overhauling how it operates and maintains its hydrogen refueling stations, aiming to cut the wait times and frequent breakdowns that have frustrated drivers of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The city plans preventive servicing of aging equipment, more round-the-clock stations and a phased buildout of new facilities to make hydrogen mobility more reliable.
The city said on the 2nd that it had drawn up a maintenance plan centered on preventing failures, as warranty periods expire and equipment ages at the stations built in the program's early years. Rather than repairing units after they break down, Ulsan will inspect and service core equipment such as refrigeration units in advance and activate an emergency recovery system when problems arise, in order to minimize downtime.
The city has secured 1.2 billion won in maintenance funding this year, combining 1 billion won in its main budget with 200 million won from a first supplementary budget. The money will go first to repairs of major equipment and emergency breakdowns, and officials said they would secure sufficient funding next year as well for equipment upgrades. Ulsan will also improve tracking of hydrogen inventory and delivery schedules at each station so that resupply and equipment swaps are shifted to hours when fewer vehicles are refueling.
The city is also working to expand 24-hour service for late-night and early-morning drivers. Only one station in Ulsan, the Kyungdong station in Buk-gu, currently operates around the clock. Traffic there between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. averages 10 to 12 vehicles, and the city is reviewing options for a backup station to cover maintenance windows and emergencies. Ulsan has also formally asked Hyundai Motor (005380) to consider building a 24-hour hydrogen station.
Ulsan is stepping up information services for drivers as well. The city will expand publicity through bus information terminals and on-site displays at stations so that users can check station locations, operating hours and remaining capacity in real time through the Hying hydrogen distribution information system and the H2 Care app. The aim is to steer drivers quickly to nearby alternatives when a particular station goes offline.
New infrastructure is moving ahead on schedule. The Deokha liquid hydrogen station now under construction and a station in Yaeum-dong, Nam-gu, operated by Hydrogen Energy Network, are set to be completed in sequence. The city also plans to build additional stations in phases at sites including the Nongso public bus depot in Buk-gu and the Nammok automotive industrial complex in Dong-gu, drawing on central government competitive grants and private investment.
As of July, 3,739 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles were on the road in Ulsan. The city plans to add 400 more this year, including 307 passenger cars, 90 buses and three trucks.
"We will reduce inconvenience for users by servicing aging refueling equipment before problems occur and by establishing a rapid recovery system," a city official said. "By pairing real-time information with new infrastructure, we will create a stable operating environment for hydrogen vehicles that residents can feel."
