Hyundai Motor has shipped the first 10 units of its XCIENT Fuel Cell, the world's first hydrogen fuel-cell heavy-duty truck, to Switzerland
Hyundai has outlined plans to ship a total of 50 XCIENT Fuel Cells to Switzerland in 2020, and a further 1,600 XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks worldwide by 2025.
The XCIENT is powered by a 190-kW hydrogen fuel cell system with dual 95-kW fuel cell stacks, and seven hydrogen tanks offering combined storage of around 32.09kg of hydrogen.
In terms of range, that storage figure will offer approximately 400 kilometres on a single charge, but Hyundai says it will develop a prime mover with a range of 1,000 kilometres using the same fuel-cell technology.
The South Korean automaker says the move reflects the company’s environmental commitment and technological prowess as it works toward reducing carbon emissions through zero-emission solutions.
“XCIENT Fuel Cell is a present-day reality, not as a mere future drawing board project,” says Hyundai Motor Executive Vice President and head of Commercial Vehicle Division, Cheol Lee.
“By putting this groundbreaking vehicle on the road now, Hyundai marks a significant milestone in the history of commercial vehicles and the development of hydrogen society.
“Building a comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem, where critical transportation needs are met by vehicles like XCIENT Fuel Cell, will lead to a paradigm shift that removes automobile emissions from the environmental equation.”
Lee highlights Hyundai’s experience with fuel-cell technology, following the launch of the ix35 passenger vehicle and second-generation NEXO.
“Having introduced the world’s first mass-produced fuel-cell electric passenger vehicle, the ix35, and the second-generation fuel cell electric vehicle, the NEXO, Hyundai is now leveraging decades of experience, world-leading fuel-cell technology, and mass-production capability to advance hydrogen in the commercial vehicle sector with the XCIENT Fuel Cell,” Lee says.