Hyundai to unveil first fuel cell truck and map path for hydrogen mobility

South Korean automotive giant Hyundai Motor Company has flagged a digital launch of its Xcient Fuel Cell, the world’s first mass-produced fuel cell heavy-duty truck, which it boasts will have a driving range of around 400-kilometres.

While the very nature of these announcements prevents there from being much in the way of details – with the October 14 unveiling on the company’s YouTube channel expected to provide more specifics – Hyundai nevertheless reminded us of the Xcient’s headlines.

Equipped with a 350-bar 32-kilogram hydrogen tank, the Xcient is expected to provide a driving range of around 400 kilometres. Fuelling is expected to take anywhere from 8 to 20 minutes and the Xcient will be able to carry a load comparable to a traditional diesel heavy-duty truck.

And while the first 10 units of the Xcient were shipped to Switzerland back in early July, of a total of 50 which will begin to see handover to commercial fleet customers in September, the Xcient Fuel Cell will be introduced by leaders of Hyundai’s Commercial Vehicle Business Division and Fuel Cell Centre.

Hyundai’s executives will also use the live-stream to outline its roadmap for fuel cell mobility.

Hyundai hopes to roll out a total of 1,600 XCIENT Fuel Cell’s by 2025, reflecting what the company describes as “its commitment to clean mobility and vision for a future hydrogen society.”

“Xcient Fuel Cell is a present-day reality, not as a mere future drawing board project,” said In Cheol Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Division at Hyundai Motor, speaking back in July.

“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.”