Hyundai presents hydrogen-powered trucks at ACT Expo in US

MANILA: Hyundai Motor Company stressed its goal to expand its commercial vehicle market entry in the US with Xcient Fuel Cell trucks at the 2022 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo.

Hyundai presents the NorCal Zero Project's accomplishments at the ACT Expo, the world's largest advanced transportation technology and clean fleet event. In 2023, Hyundai will deploy 30 Class 8 6x4 Xcient Fuel Cell heavy-duty tractors at the Port of Oakland in California as part of the Zero-Emission Regional Truck Operations with Fuel Cell Electric Truck initiative.

The company also participated in the Hydrogen Workshop panel discussion at the conference. Under the theme "Coming Around the Corner, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles," panelists discussed the challenges and potential of the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) market, as well as policies and business plans. Hyundai Motor Company Senior Vice President and Commercial Vehicle Business Innovation Head Mark Freymueller talked with the other panelists about the company's sustainable mobility solutions and business cases.

In a statement, Freymueller said, “Our ultimate goal is to fight climate change and build a sustainable future. We are running out of time to limit global warming. We believe that there is no way around hydrogen to realize the energy transition towards renewables. And among others, it also offers already today a practical and viable solution to decarbonize the heavy-duty commercial vehicle sector providing excellent drive range, payloads and refueling time on our trucks.”

Given the ease of production, transportation, distribution, and storage, Hyundai sees hydrogen as the clean energy solution for commercial vehicles, including vocational trucks that require a lot of energy. Hydrogen is a high-density energy carrier that enables fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) to deliver long-term energy output suited for long-distance driving and transporting big loads. When compared to battery electric vehicles (BEV), FCEVs improve work efficiency and reduce infrastructure costs by reducing downtime and reducing refilling time. In 2020, the company started to deploy a fleet of Xcient Fuel Cell trucks in Switzerland, the world's first mass-produced fuel cell electric heavy-duty truck, which has now accumulated a range of 3.5 million km.

The total cost of ownership (TCO) for FCEVs will go down substantially in the coming years, thanks to the US government's significant investment and additional players joining the hydrogen market. The shift to clean energy sources will be accelerated by climate change and ongoing supply chain issues.

“Hyundai Motor is a leader in the hydrogen fuel cell market with decades of experience and proven expertise. Our proven record of success with commercial fuel cell programs in Korea and Europe has been critical to our launch of heavy-duty fuel cell trucks in North America. Deploying Xcient Fuel Cell tractors at the Port of Oakland for the NorCal Zero Project is just the beginning of our goals as we work with partners to fight climate change and build a more sustainable future,” Hyundai Motor Company President and Chief Operating Officer Jose Muñoz stated.

Hyundai's ACT Expo booth shows its FCEV market leadership in terms of sustainable mobility logistics and technology.

Aside from the booth, panel discussion, and onsite vehicles, Hyundai also offers a Ride & Drive program where attendees may experience the 6x2 Xcient Fuel Cell tractor and 6x2 Xcient Fuel Cell rigid truck.

The ACT Expo is being held at the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California from May 9 to 12. It gathers the transportation logistics community for four days of learning about the fuels, technology, and policies that are propelling the industry ahead.

Photo from Hyundai Motor Company

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