Hyundai has a relatively long history with hydrogen and a clear dedication to its use. This dedication goes beyond passenger cars like the Tucson Fuel Cell or Nexo. Today, the latest and greatest hydrogen effort is in the area of commercial vehicles. Hyundai has announced that it will send the first 10 Xcient fuel cell trucks to Switzerland, where they will go to work transporting goods without causing any harmful emissions.
This is just the first shipment, with Hyundai planning to ship a total of 50 Xcient FCEV semis to Switzerland by the end of this year, with customer deliveries to begin in September. Many more trucks will follow, with a total of 1,600 hydrogen-powered Xcient trucks going to customers by 2025.
The Hyundai Xcient Fuel Cell is powered by a 190 kW hydrogen fuel cell system, consisting of two 95 kW fuel cell assemblies. Hydrogen is stored in seven tanks, with about 71 pounds of hydrogen providing a driving range of about 250 miles between fill-ups in the 4×2 version (but Hyundai says more precise range numbers based on configurations and loads will be updated later). It also uses a 73.2 kWh battery and a 350 kW (469 hp) electric motor. Its top speed is about 53 miles per hour.
Hyundai also says it is developing a longer-range version good for 621 miles, intended for global markets, including North America.
Although Hyundai hails this truck as “the world’s first mass-produced fuel cell heavy-duty truck,” half of the other hydrogen vehicles have been used or will soon be available. Toyota has been testing fuel cell trucks as part of its “Project Gateway,” with early prototypes put to work at the Port of Los Angeles, on Southern California roads and even drag racing their diesel-powered counterpart. Nikola has been working on three fuel cell trucks for years. Honda and Isuzu also announced a partnership for hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks earlier this year.
As for the Xcient Fuel Cell, we loved the look of this large platform, with the way the light shines from its massive grille. However, we’re excited for the future too, as Hyundai recently showed off a retro-futuristic look with its HDC-6 Neptune hydrogen truck. Give us strange-looking, untainted halves, and we’ll be much happier.
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