CES 2024: Hydrogen cars back on the agenda as EVs and in-car tech take centre stage

While electric vehicles are gaining the lion's share of the attention for carbon-neutral technology at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), hydrogen energy has snuck its way back into the conversation thanks to two automotive giants.

Hyundai spotlighted its plans for utilising hydrogen energy at the sprawling tech and gadget show in Las Vegas. 

Beyond making vehicles powered by hydrogen-powered fuel cells, the South Korean automaker signaled that it could work toward aiding a "hydrogen society" by expanding into energy production, storage, and transportation.

It's already technologically feasible, and it will eventually make sense economically, too, José Muñoz, president and global chief operating officer of Hyundai Motor Co, predicted on Monday.

Meanwhile, automotive supplier Bosch Mobility plans to launch its first hydrogen combustion engine this year - another key step toward reducing global man-made carbon emissions, the company said during its CES 2024 event.

Both Bosch and Hyundai say they've been encouraged to move forward with their respective initiatives because of investments such as the $7 billion (€6.4 billion) that the US government is pouring into the development of hydrogen infrastructure.

Honda on Tuesday unveiled two concept vehicles, dubbed the "Saloon" and "Space-Hub". 

The Japanese automaker says the Zero Series approach for EV development focuses on models that are "thin, light and wise," with specific goals to minimise battery size and weight.

Kia, meanwhile, introduced a trio of electric vans that can quickly swap body modules from cargo haulers to taxis and other purposes. 

Production of the vans will begin in 2025 in South Korea.

And Vietnam-based electric upstart VinFast unveiled an electric truck