Hyundai upgrades Xcient Fuel Cell ahead of global expansion

Hyundai has upgraded the design and performance of its Xcient Fuel Cell heavy-duty truck with shipment of an additional 140 units expected to reach European customers this year.  

The new radiator grille is now decorated with a linear and bold ‘V’ shape of chrome details and multi-dimensional mesh patterns. 

The blue point colour surrounding the grille and the decal graphics represents the truck’s eco-friendly hydrogen energy.

The 2021 Xcient is equipped with a 180kW hydrogen fuel cell system with two 90kW fuel cell stacks, newly modified for the 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, Hyundai says. 

The 350kW e-motor with maximum torque of 2,237Nm further improves 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. 

The maximum driving range is set to be around 400km. Refueling a full tank of hydrogen takes about eight to 20 minutes, depending on the ambient temperature, the company says. 

The 2021 model is now available in a 6×2 rigid body configuration as well as the 4×2 option introduced in the previous model.

With the launch of the enhanced model, Hyundai says it plans to accelerate the global rollout of the fuel cell truck.

The company shipped a total of 46 units to Switzerland last year. As of May 2021, the cumulative driving range of those trucks in operation reached over 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 the year as part of its plan to deliver 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.

“The customers are very pleased with the quality and driving comfort of the truck,” Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility chief executive Mark Freymueller says. 

“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,” he says. 

Hyundai also plans to present the Xcient to the North American market this year. The company 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 roadshows and other events open to the general public.

 China is another country that has strong interest in heavy-duty trucks powered by hydrogen. 

Hyundai says it is “carefully reviewing multiple options to introduce its fuel cell technology to corporate and government customers in China”. 

Hyundai New Zealand has also welcomed the launch of the Xcient and says it looks forward to bringing the truck into New Zealand in the future.