With a focus on advancing renewable hydrogen and sustainable mobility, Hyundai supports the 9th edition of the Energy Transition Research and Innovation Conference, hosted by the RCGI at the University of São Paulo.
The search for efficient, low‑impact solutions gains a new chapter on the global stage. Hyundai Motor Brazil confirmed its sponsorship of the 9th edition of the Energy Transition Research and Innovation Conference (ETRI), organized by the Center for Research and Innovation in Greenhouse Gases (RCGI) of the University of São Paulo (USP). The event, considered the leading academic‑scientific forum in Latin America on the topic, brings together scientists, business leaders, diplomats, and policymakers.
With the guiding theme “The Geopolitics of Energy Innovation,” the conference aims to analyze in detail how global dynamics influence the development and implementation of technologies aimed at decarbonization. At a strategic moment for the global automotive industry, the debate underscores the urgency of accelerating the energy transition toward a future of clean, renewable power sources.
The South Korean automaker’s participation reinforces the essential role of renewable hydrogen in the ecosystem of sustainable mobility. In addition to executives engaging in strategic discussions, the event will showcase cutting‑edge technologies that promise to revolutionize land transport in the coming decades.
Innovation and geopolitics in the pursuit of clean energy
The conference serves as an essential bridge between scientific production and industrial market demands. During the opening of the event, Hyundai Motor Brazil’s administrative vice‑president, Ricardo Martins, highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to researching advanced solutions for the automotive and freight transport sectors.
Ricardo Martins stated:
For more than two decades, Hyundai has invested in research and development of fuel cells for applications that include cars, buses, and trucks. This trajectory reflects the importance of innovative energy solutions for the company and makes participation in ETRI an opportunity to exchange experiences with some of the leading authorities in the field. We want to continue contributing to mobility innovation in Brazil and around the world.
Strategic panels and the mobility agenda
The program will feature technical presentations and debates led by company experts. In the panel focused on the sector ecosystem, Eduardo Fischmann, Executive Manager of Corporate Affairs, CSR, and Hydrogen, will present global strategies for consolidating low‑emission transportation systems.
At another key moment of the agenda, Fábio Bonilha, Senior Manager of ESG and Innovation, will give a talk on assessing carbon emissions over the vehicle life cycle and circular economy guidelines in emerging markets, with a focus on the MOVER program directives. Complementing the participation, Fernando Yamaguti will join the panel dedicated to joint actions between industry and institutions.
Hyundai NEXO and the pilot plant for ethanol‑derived hydrogen
One of the event’s highlights will be the display of the Hyundai NEXO, a fuel‑cell‑powered SUV that serves as the manufacturer’s global technological showcase. With a 163‑hp electric motor and a range of over 660 kilometers, the model also stands out for its ability to purify the air while driving, trapping impurities in its filtration system.
The showcased vehicle is part of a pioneering testing project in partnership with USP, which hosts the world’s first pilot plant dedicated to producing green hydrogen from ethanol. The research seeks to demonstrate the technical, economic, and environmental viability of this energy vector in long‑range passenger vehicles, adapting the technology to the specificities of the Brazilian market.
Paths to a Sustainable Future
The integration between large corporations and academic centers of excellence such as USP is a decisive step toward turning innovative theories into market‑ready applications. Betting on renewable hydrogen as a clean fuel reaffirms the commitment to gradually reduce pollutant emissions and to strengthen sustainable regional energy matrices.
The event takes place at the Inova USP campus in São Paulo. Those interested in following discussions about the future of energy and mobility can purchase their tickets by clicking here.