Hyundai Brings Xcient Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck to US
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ANAHEIM, Calif. — Global vehicle manufacturer Hyundai Motor Co. premiered the production version of its Xcient hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 8 truck for the North American market at the 2023 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo.
The zero-emission cabover tractor offers a vehicle range of more than 450 miles per charge when fully loaded at 82,000 pounds and a refueling time of about 30 minutes, Hyundai said.
Ken Ramirez, executive vice president and head of global commercial vehicle and hydrogen fuel cell business at Hyundai, emphasized the company’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and establishing an integrated hydrogen ecosystem, including hydrogen production, storage, transport and delivery.
“As an integral part of our vision for the future, we firmly believe that hydrogen is one of the most powerful and pragmatic solutions,” Ramirez said at a May 2 press conference here at ACT Expo. “For 20 years, we at Hyundai have long understood and developed the tremendous potential of hydrogen as an energy source.”
A side view of the Xcient. (Seth Clevenger/Transport Topics)
The Xcient fuel cell electric truck’s U.S. debut follows its rollout in global markets where the vehicle has logged more than 4 million miles in commercial operations. The vehicle, first launched in 2020, has been deployed in Switzerland, Germany, Israel, South Korea and New Zealand.
The U.S. version of the Xcient model, shown at ACT Expo, was a 6x4 tractor equipped with two 90 kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell systems and a 350 kilowatt e-motor.
Hyundai is planning to bring 30 Xcient hydrogen fuel cell trucks to the Port of Oakland in California to demonstrate the technology.
“This is expected to be the largest Class 8 hydrogen truck fleet to be deployed in the United States right now,” said Mark Freymueller, head of commercial vehicle business innovation at Hyundai.
Hyundai also previewed its plans for a clean logistics system to support its Metaplant America electric vehicle and battery factory in Savannah, Ga.
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