Hyundai Trucks go Green – not just talk, on the road this year

Look I hate the term “zero-emissions” because in reality there’s always a nark out there saying that some part of the Fuel capture or delivery process required an emission. But, put that aside and imagine a world where all the trucks on our roads aren’t spewing out fossil fuel emissions every single kilometer they drive – that’s something to aspire to right?

We know Tesla are talking about electric trucks, as are others, but that’s all fast forward to an episode of Beyond 2000 (perhaps Beyond 2030 it should be called).

Today, Hyundai announced they had shipped their first 10 Xcient Fuel Cell trucks to Switzerland.

This first shipment will be part of 50 to make their way to Switzerland this year, with commercial truck fleet operators using the vehicles from September.

The company plans to build and deliver 1,600 of these trucks in the next five years.

Perhaps pointing to the other brands yet to see commercial production, Cheol Lee the Head of Commercial Vehicles at Hyundai said “XCIENT Fuel Cell is a present-day reality, not as a mere future drawing board project. 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.”

“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,” he added.

These trucks are powered by a 190kW hydrogen fuel cell system with seven hydrogen tanks carrying 32kg of Hydrogen.

With a range of 400km, they are hardly ready to replace our Aussie Diesel truck routs, but with a fill time of between 8 and 20 minutes, it’s a process that fits with the workflow of the average truckie.

The next phase is a prime mover capable of 1,000 on a single fill, aimed at Global Markets – of which Australia would surely be one.

All that’s left is the refilling infrastructure. A chicken and egg game that Hyundai will need to lead the way on that here in Australia.

Looking good, looking green!