Hyundai updates XCIENT Fuel Cell truck
Design and performance mods and a new 6x2 variant for Korean manufacturer’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered heavy-duty truckHyundai is pushing ahead with its first volume-production hydrogen fuel cell powered heavy-duty truck, with the manufacturer releasing photos and details of its enhanced 2021 Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell.
Billed as the world’s first mass-produced and commercially available hydrogen truck, deliveries of the Hyundai XCIENT to Europe first began in October 2020, but Hyundai says its new 2021 XCIENT – to be produced from August 2021 – boasts refreshed styling and performance modifications, while the existing 4x2 rigid format will be joined by a 6x2 rigid.
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New look, better performance
On the design front, the 2021 model sports a new grille with blue surround and new decals, while Hyundai says the fuel cell system has been refined to enhance both durability and overall fuel efficiency.
The Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell is powered by a 180kW hydrogen fuel cell system with twin 90kW fuel cell stacks, with seven hydrogen tanks giving a combined capacity of 31kg of fuel. Three 72kWh batteries provide additional power.
A 350kW electric motor delivers a claimed 2237Nm of torque, and Hyundai says the XCIENT has a maximum range of around 400km, with a refueling time of between eight and 20 minutes depending on ambient temperature.
The new Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell 6x2 (pictured) has a GVM of 27,500kg, up from the 19,500kg of the 4x2 variant, along with a GCM of 40,000kg (up from 36,000kg). It has the same fuel cell, powertrain and hydrogen storage set-up as the 4x2 model, with both featuring an Allison six-speed automated manual transmission.
Lofty ambitions
Hyundai says it will deliver an additional 140 XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks to Europe this year, as it works its way towards a total of 1600 units by 2025.
“Hyundai Motor is leveraging more than 20 years of experience in fuel cell technology to further its vision of an eco-friendly hydrogen society,” says Jaehoon (Jay) Chang, CEO and President of Commercial Vehicle Division at Hyundai Motor Company.
“With 2021 XCIENT Fuel Cell, Hyundai will contribute to the widespread adoption of commercial vehicles powered by hydrogen.”
Hyundai says it shipped 46 trucks to Europe in 2020, with the trucks now in use in Switzerland. The trucks have already completed a combined total of 750,000km, says the company, saving an estimated 585 tons of carbon emissions when compared to diesel-powered trucks.
Eyeing expansion
The 140 trucks to be delivered this year will also go to Switzerland, but Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility – a joint venture between Hyundai and H2 Energy – says it’s looking to expand to other European markets.
“The customers are very pleased with the quality and driving comfort of the truck,” says Mark Freymueller, CEO of Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility.
“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.”
Hyundai is also actively exploring opportunities for its XCIENT in North America and China, the company says, and has previously stated that it will explore right-hand-drive models, which could be sold in the UK and potentially Australia, from 2024.
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