Hyundai Motor Company has outlined its ambitious vision for a hydrogen-powered future, showcasing its Class 8 XCIENT Fuel Cell electric truck at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo 2024 in Las Vegas. This marked a significant step in Hyundai’s commitment to sustainable logistics, highlighting the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source.
At the press conference, Ken Ramirez, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Commercial Vehicle and Hydrogen Business at Hyundai Motor, emphasized the company’s dedication to building a hydrogen society. He detailed how Hyundai Motor Group is utilising its cross-industry capabilities to cover the entire hydrogen value chain, from production and storage to logistics and diverse applications.
“Our HTWO brand’s expanding role reflects Hyundai’s unique reach beyond mobility into an integrated hydrogen value chain to lead the global energy transition,” Ramirez stated. “We leverage our strengths in both mobility and energy sectors to realise our vision for a hydrogen society.”
Expansion of hydrogen-powered logistics
Jim Park, Senior Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle and Hydrogen Business Development at Hyundai Motor North America, discussed the rollout of Hyundai’s Class 8 XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks in various U.S. hydrogen logistics projects. This includes significant initiatives like the NorCAL ZERO Project and the Clean Logistics Project.
Last year, Hyundai deployed 30 XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks at the Ports of Oakland and Richmond as part of the NorCAL ZERO Project. This marked the largest commercial deployment of heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks in North America. In Georgia, Hyundai is progressing with the Clean Logistics Project at its Metaplant America (HMGMA) to decarbonise production facilities.
“This landmark port decarbonisation initiative in California exemplifies how hydrogen trucks are paving the way towards sustainable future logistics,” Park remarked. “By replicating the success of NorCAL ZERO, Hyundai aims to establish a global network of clean, hydrogen-powered operations.”
HTWO logistics
Glenn Clift, Executive Director of GLOVIS America, joined the press conference to introduce HTWO Logistics. This partnership aims to benchmark sustainable logistics solutions around Hyundai’s new manufacturing facility in Georgia.
“Our clean logistics operation in Georgia focuses on reducing the carbon emissions of inbound and outbound transportation,” Clift said. “Through HTWO Logistics, we will establish a value chain of clean hydrogen production, supply, refuelling, and zero-emission vehicles to handle logistics, creating a hydrogen mobility ecosystem around Georgia’s Metaplant.”
Enhancements in XCIENT fuel cell truck
Hyundai showcased the enhancement concept of its XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated physical buttons for driver convenience. The truck also includes advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Side Collision Avoidance Warning (SOD), and Smart Cruise Control (SCC).
Autonomous driving collaboration
Hyundai is collaborating with autonomous driving technology leader Plus to enhance road safety and freight efficiency. Together, they are testing Level 4 autonomous driving technology on the XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, a first for Class 8 fuel cell electric trucks in the U.S.
Vision for hydrogen’s role in commercial vehicles
Hydrogen is seen as a sustainable energy carrier suitable for commercial vehicles due to its high energy density, which supports long-haul driving and heavy loads. Hyundai’s XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, powered by its proven fuel cell system, is already in use globally, including in Europe, South Korea, and North America. The company’s hydrogen technology extends beyond mobility into applications such as stationary power and industrial equipment.
Comprehensive hydrogen value chain
Hyundai Motor Group has developed methods for converting organic waste into hydrogen as part of a pilot project in South Korea. By extracting biogas from food waste, hydrogen is produced through an advanced process and used to power hydrogen vehicles. The Group plans to expand this initiative by integrating the entire hydrogen value chain, from production using plastic-to-hydrogen technology to carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS).
Display at ACT Expo 2024
The XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, with a 6×4 drive axle configuration, is on display at Hyundai Motor’s booth at the ACT Expo 2024. Alongside the truck, Hyundai is showcasing its hydrogen fuel cell system and HTWO Grid solutions, providing a comprehensive view of its advancements in hydrogen technology.