The world’s first mass-produced, heavy-duty, hydrogen-powered truck, the Hyundai XCIENT, is on a roll.
Hyundai has upgraded both the design and performance of XCIENT which now delivers a better driving experience.
Production is set to begin in August this year.
XCIENT is now available in a 6×2 rigid body configuration as well as the 4×2 option introduced in the previous model.
Decorated with a linear and bold ‘V’ shape of chrome details and multi-dimensional mesh patterns, the new radiator grille gives the truck a hi-tech presence on the road, while serving its own technical function.
The blue point colour surrounding the grille and decal graphics vividly visualizes the use of eco-friendly hydrogen energy.
The latest XCIENT is equipped with a 180kW hydrogen fuel cell system, with two 90kW fuel cell stacks, newly modified for this heavy-duty truck model.
The fuel cell system’s durability as well as the vehicle’s overall fuel efficiency has been improved to better stay in tune with the demands of commercial fleet customers.
The 350kW e-motor with maximum torque of 2237Nm further enables dynamic driving performance.
Seven large hydrogen tanks offer a combined storage capacity of around 31kg of fuel, while three 72kWh high voltage batteries provide an additional source of power.
Maximum driving range is around 400km, while refueling a full tank of hydrogen takes about 8 to 20 minutes — depending on the ambient temperature.
With the launch of the enhanced model, Hyundai plans to accelerate the global advancement of its heavy-duty fuel cell truck.
A total of 46 units were shipped to Switzerland last year and, as of May, the cumulative driving range of those trucks in operation reached more than 750,000km.
Over that distance, the hydrogen-powered trucks have reduced carbon emissions by an estimated 585 tons, compared to diesel-powered vehicles.
Hyundai will ship another 140 units to Switzerland by the end of this year, as part of its plan to roll out 1600 heavy-duty fuel cell electric trucks in Europe by 2025.
Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor and H2 Energy, is working on the introduction of XCIENT Fuel Cell in other European markets.
“Customers are very pleased with the quality and driving comfort of the truck,” CEO of Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility, Mark Freymueller, said.
“There is a lot of interest for the truck outside Switzerland as well. We are very confident that we will see XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks on the road in other European countries next year,”
Hyundai also plans to present XCIENT Fuel Cell to the North American market this year.
It is in talks with several local governments and logistics businesses in the US to establish potential joint operations of hydrogen-powered trucks for various purposes.
The company is also planning to host XCIENT Fuel Cell roadshows and other events that will be open to the general public.
China is another nation that has a strong interest in heavy-duty trucks powered by hydrogen.
Hyundai is carefully reviewing multiple options to introduce its fuel cell technology to corporate and government customers in China.
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