Hyundai's hydrogen-powered XCIENT test fleet surpasses 1 million kilometre milestone

Hyundai’s 2021 XCIENT Fuel Cell truck. Image: Hyundai

Hyundai has been testing hydrogen fuel cell technology for many years across all forms of transport from the Nexo passenger car we recently reviewed, to heavy vehicles. While we believe that battery electric passenger vehicles are superior to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the long term, hydrogen may play an increasingly larger role in transport and logistics.

Hyundai's fleet of XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks has collectively exceeded 1 million kilometres of driving in 11 months of service in Switzerland. During that time, the fleet has reduced CO2 emissions by over an estimated 630 tons when compared to diesel-powered vehicles according to the automaker. The 46 trucks in the fleet have been in the service of 25 Swiss companies in logistics, distribution, and supermarket fulfillment. 

 “Swiss transport and logistics companies are convinced that hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles have the greatest potential among various alternative energy vehicles. The member companies do not stop at simply introducing hydrogen fuel cell trucks. They have high expectations for the hydrogen energy source that holds great potential for the future and believe that hydrogen will be the key for transitioning to eco-friendly energy,” Jörg Ackermann, Chairman of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association said. “Specifically, the biggest advantage of hydrogen energy is its excellent storability. This suggests that hydrogen will play an important role in the era of eco-friendly energy. Many distribution companies are already experiencing the benefits directly by using the XCIENT fuel cell trucks, and I think that if summer operation is completed successfully, the demand for the XCIENT fuel cell trucks will increase even more."

XCIENT is available in a 4x2 or 6x2 rigid body configurations.

 The XCIENT range was launched in 2019, and the 2021 model features revised styling and performance improvements. The XCIENT is available in a 4x2 or 6x2 rigid body configuration. A total of 140 units of the 2021 model will be shipped to Switzerland by the end of this year, with 1,600 planned by 2025.

 It’s worth noting that the European Parliament has backed low-carbon hydrogen and plans to significantly increase production over the coming decade but at this stage, there is still limited hydrogen production, storage and refueling capability in the EU. Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM) leases the XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks to commercial truck operators on a pay-per-use basis which includes the hydrogen supply as well. The benefit for commercial fleet customers is that there is no initial investment.

Hyundai Motor Company has set an annual sales goal of 110,000 fuel cell electric vehicles worldwide by 2025, under its ‘Strategy 2025’ plan. Meanwhile, the wider Hyundai Motor Group plans to ramp up production capacity for hydrogen-powered vehicles to 500,000 units by 2030.

We certainly welcome the decarbonisation of the transportation sector, but would like to see Hyundai developing its battery technology systems to integrate with its rigid body trucks.