A major step has been taken in Hyundai Motor Company Australia’s (HMCA) hydrogen journey, with the first local customer confirmed for its fuel cell model.
Coregas has been confirmed to receive one of the world’s first hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks in the XCIENT Fuel Cell model.
After debuting at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, the XCIENT is set to hit Australian roads in Coregas’ daily fleet. By integrating the XCIENT into its logistics network, Coregas will not only reduce emissions from its own operations but also showcase the practical potential of hydrogen-powered freight to the wider industry.
The XCIENT Fuel Cell is proven globally, with over 10 million kilometres clocked in real-world operations across Europe and Asia. In Australia, where freight significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, Hyundai says the XCIENT represents a game-changing opportunity for fleets to transition to eco-friendly transport without compromising on range or power.
This milestone forms part of Hyundai’s broader vision to decarbonise commercial transport in Australia, with the XCIENT undertaking a comprehensive program of evaluation and technical assessment to meet the needs of Australian operators.
Securing Coregas as its first customer demonstrates confidence in the technology and sets the stage for broader adoption of hydrogen mobility in the heavy vehicle sector.
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Coregas is no stranger to innovation in hydrogen mobility. In 2023, the industrial gases company launched the Coregas H2Station, Australia’s first hydrogen refuelling station for heavy transport.
The H2Station, located in Port Kembla, New South Wales, is already helping stimulate Australia’s emerging hydrogen sector by proving that hydrogen-powered trucks can be a viable alternative to diesel fleets.
In line with its commitment to building a greener future, Coregas will now integrate the Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck into its day-to-day operations, using it to transport industrial, medical and specialty cylinders to its Australian customers.
With Hyundai’s leadership in hydrogen mobility and Coregas already established as an early mover with its hydrogen compression and distribution infrastructure, the partnership represents an important moment for Australia’s transition to clean energy.
HMCA CEO Don Romano sees the achievement as an exciting step forward.
“Securing our first client for the XCIENT is a milestone moment for Hyundai in Australia. The partnership with Coregas shows how hydrogen mobility can move beyond concepts and trials into real-world operations,” Romano says.
“We are proud to bring the world’s first fuel cell heavy-duty truck to Australian roads and to demonstrate how it can deliver both sustainability and performance for local fleets.”
Coregas executive general manager Alan Watkins says the partnership represents the firm’s commitment to embracing hydrogen technology and demonstrating its suitability for heavy transport applications.
“Coregas is proud to be the first company in Australia to integrate Hyundai’s XCIENT into our operations. This partnership brings together two organisations committed to accelerating the clean energy transition and showing industry how hydrogen can play a vital role in decarbonising heavy transport,” Watkins says.
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