Hyundai Rotem said on the 10th that, following its hydrogen-electric tram, another vehicle in its hydrogen mobility lineup has taken a prestigious international design prize — a win that highlights the growing global competitiveness of Korea’s rail design.
Hyundai Rotem said its hydrogen-electric locomotive and its hydrogen-electric train each won a main prize at Germany’s iF Design Award 2026 (International Forum Design Award 2026), earning the company two top honors.
The iF Design Award is considered one of the world’s three major design awards, alongside IDEA and Red Dot.
This year’s winners were chosen by expert jurors from more than 10,000 entries submitted from 68 countries.
Hyundai Rotem first claimed an iF Design Award in 2023 with its hydrogen-electric tram, becoming the first Korean rail company to win a global design prize. The new awards for both the hydrogen-electric locomotive and the hydrogen-electric train further demonstrate that K-rail’s design capabilities have reached an international standard.
The hydrogen-electric locomotive and hydrogen-electric train are part of Hyundai Rotem’s growing hydrogen mobility portfolio.
The two models correspond to conventional locomotives (vehicles that pull non-powered passenger cars) and electric multiple units (EMUs, trains with motors on each car), respectively. After the hydrogen trams slated for service in Daejeon and Ulsan, Hyundai Rotem expects these models to drive further expansion of hydrogen mobility in the rail sector.
The company framed the hydrogen mobility lineup around three core design principles — Pure, Simple and Iconic — to establish a new standard for sustainable rail mobility.
Both award-winning models apply vehicle-specific design details based on that philosophy, increasing visual variety across the lineup and strengthening the brand’s potential to scale.
A signature H-shaped side graphic was introduced as a key design element to represent both Hyundai Rotem and hydrogen (H). A lattice pattern radiates outward from that H, visually expressing the company’s vision for broader adoption of hydrogen mobility.
For the hydrogen-electric locomotive, designers aimed for a bold, muscular appearance to reflect the vehicle’s strong traction and power characteristics.
The nose blends a smooth roof-to-windshield line that transitions into sharper, more dynamic contours toward the lower section — a form that balances hydrogen energy’s sustainability with a rugged, resilient character.
Rather than conventional round headlights, designers opted for linear headlight clusters inspired by the streaks of light seen when moving at speed through tunnels, reinforcing the locomotive’s dynamic stance.
By contrast, the hydrogen-electric train features a low-floor design for easier boarding by passengers with mobility challenges and a softer front-end that communicates the sustainable benefits of hydrogen energy.
Design touches that reduce an industrial feel and add warmth include covered wiper pivots, protective covers for the lower Crash Energy Management (CEM) components, and added three-dimensional volume to the upper LED destination display.
The train also features slim, stacked daytime running lights and a high-tech headlight shape, details that give the vehicle a futuristic presence while retaining an overall gentle look.
A Hyundai Rotem spokesperson said, “This award recognizes our design work and philosophy for realizing hydrogen mobility in rail. We will continue leading global design trends and strengthening design competitiveness across the rail sector to deliver new value to customers.”
Hyundai Rotem is continuing R&D across its hydrogen mobility program, including the award-winning locomotive and EMU as well as trams, locomotives and high-speed trains.
These efforts position the company at the center of Hyundai Motor Group’s push to a hydrogen society under the HTWO brand, the group’s hydrogen business platform.
In line with HTWO’s strategy, Hyundai Rotem brings together the group’s hydrogen energy technologies and commercial capabilities to expand both domestic and global operations and to broaden its hydrogen mobility lineup.
Unlike conventional electric trains, Hyundai Rotem’s hydrogen vehicles generate electricity onboard with hydrogen fuel cells, so they do not require infrastructure such as overhead catenary lines and produce no direct carbon emissions during operation.
