Hyundai Rotem Wins Two iF Design Awards for Hydrogen Rail Vehicles
Hyundai Rotem’s hydrogen mobility solutions have earned global recognition for K-railway design excellence after winning prestigious international design awards.
Hyundai Rotem announced on the 10th that its hydrogen-electric locomotive and hydrogen-electric multiple unit (EMU) each won main prizes at the iF Design Award 2026 in Germany, achieving a double victory.
The iF Design Award ranks among the world’s top three design awards alongside the IDEA Design Award and Red Dot Design Award. This year’s winners were selected through rigorous evaluation by experts from more than 10,000 projects submitted across 68 countries worldwide.
Hyundai Rotem previously won a main prize at the iF Design Award in 2023 for its hydrogen-electric tram. With the hydrogen-electric locomotive and EMU now also receiving main prizes, the company has once again demonstrated that K-railway design capabilities have grown to world-class levels.
The hydrogen-electric locomotive and hydrogen-electric EMU are hydrogen mobility solutions currently under development by Hyundai Rotem. Corresponding respectively to conventional locomotives (vehicles that pull unpowered passenger cars) and electric multiple units (trains with power sources in each car), they are strategic models expected to lead the expansion of the hydrogen mobility market in the railway sector, following hydrogen-electric trams scheduled to operate in Daejeon and Ulsan.
Notably, the two award-winning hydrogen mobility vehicles feature the first introduction of an ‘H’-shaped side graphic design element that will become the signature design of Hyundai Rotem’s hydrogen mobility lineup. The design expresses the vision for hydrogen mobility expansion through a lattice pattern gradually spreading from the H shape symbolizing Hyundai Rotem and hydrogen.
Regarding model-specific design features, the hydrogen-electric locomotive embodies a powerful first impression matching its strong propulsion performance characteristics. Unlike the circular headlights commonly used in conventional trains, the linear headlight design was inspired by the afterimage of light moving at high speed through tunnels, adding to the dynamic impression of the hydrogen-electric locomotive.
The hydrogen-electric EMU features a low-floor structure enabling convenient boarding and alighting for mobility-impaired passengers, along with a soft front-end shape expressing the sustainable value of hydrogen energy. Centered on the rounded lines at the front, separate covers were applied to the wiper pivot and the lower crash energy management (CEM) component, while three-dimensional volume was added to the LED display at the upper front.
A Hyundai Rotem official said,
This award recognizes Hyundai Rotem’s dedication and design philosophy in realizing hydrogen mobility in the railway sector,
“We will lead global design trends in this field and continuously strengthen design competitiveness across the entire railway sector to deliver new value to customers.”
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Hyundai Rotem Wins Two iF Design Awards for Hydrogen Rail Vehicles, source
