Over at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo on May 2, 2023, the Hyundai Motor Company launched its latest XCIENT Fuel Cell tractor, a class 8 6x4 fuel cell electric model that has been commercialized specifically for the North American commercial vehicle (CV) market.
Showcasing the brand’s latest hydrogen fuel cell technology, the XCIENT Fuel Cell Tractor was presented at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, where North America's most extensive event for advanced transportation technology and clean fleet was held.
During Hyundai Motor's press conference, Ken Ramirez, the Executive Vice President and Head of Global Commercial Vehicle and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Business at the company, stressed the significance of achieving carbon neutrality to fulfill its vision of "Progress for Humanity." He highlighted the company's unwavering dedication to hydrogen mobility and shared its aspirations to promote the growth of a clean hydrogen ecosystem.
In addition, Hyundai Motor's Senior Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Business Innovation, Mark Freymueller, disclosed the company's strategy for XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks. He emphasized the company's collaborations with local partners to establish a robust hydrogen value chain, which serves as the foundation for expediting the implementation of eco-friendly fleets in the United States.
Hyundai’s main goal is to form alliances and future ventures that offer operational solutions for hydrogen truck clients, as well as broaden the hydrogen value chain in the United States. They intend to utilize their initial business entry as a starting point to achieve this.
The culmination of Hyundai Motor’s research and development into Fuel Cell powered commercial vehicles is the XCIENT Fuel Cell Tractor. A commercial model of this truck was shown in the press conference to showcase what the XCIENT Fuel Cell is capable of.
First introduced in 2020, and utilized in five countries, namely Switzerland, Germany, Israel, Korea, and New Zealand. Hyundai’s fuel cell has demonstrated exceptional performance by covering more than four million miles to date. As the sole heavy-duty fuel cell electric model with a confirmed record of practical usage and technological dependability, it’s an innovation in the industry.
The vehicle displayed at the event is a 6x4 tractor that comes equipped with two 90 kW hydrogen fuel cell systems, amounting to a combined total of 180 kW and a 350 kW e-motor. It has a gross combined weight of up to 37194 kg and can travel more than 724 km per charge, even when fully loaded.
Impressive, especially when you consider that the XCIENT Fuell Cell Tractor’s only emission is water. Once hydrogen-powered trucks get adopted by more manufacturers, we could see a revolution in the industry of heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
