Long-range, heavy haulers with zero emissions
Hyundai wants to sell 27,000 a year by 2030
Hyundai has just delivered its first fuel cell big trucks. The Xcient FCEV models have been handed off to customers in Switzerland, with 50 expected to hit the road this year allowing for zero-emission hauling and requiring billions in hydrogen ecosystem spending.
The first seven of the Xcient trucks were given to customers today, with a max gross combined weight rating of 36,000 kg pulling a trailer or 19,000 kg if set up as a rigid truck. That makes it a full-size big rig, the first one to be mass-produced using a fuel cell powertrain.
Motivating the first trucks are a pair of 95 kW fuel stell stacks, basically two of the cells from the Hyundai Nexo fuel-cell crossover. The cells convert hydrogen into water vapour and electricity, with those electrons sent to a 340 kW (469 hp) electric motor connected to a six-speed Allison automatic transmission.
Any extra power, or any recovered by the regenerative braking system, is sent to a 73.2 kWh battery for use later. The trucks have a top speed of 85 km/h, and Hyundai hasn’t yet given them an official range, instead waiting on testing for better numbers.
Why Switzerland to start? The country has an extensive hydroelectric power system, which helps to produce hydrogen fuel with low emissions.
Hyundai plans to build 2,000 Xcients per year starting next year, expanding into Europe, China, and the US, and is adding $1.73 billion to $8.5 billion already committed to building a network of fuelling stations.
Coming up will be a 6×4 truck for America, plus medium-duty and heavy-duty models for China, with a goal of 27,000 trucks a year by 2030.
