Switzerland takes delivery of world's first fuel cell heavy-duty truck

Hyundai Motor Company has sent the first 10 units of its XCIENT Fuel Cell, claimed to be the world’s first mass-produced fuel cell heavy-duty truck, to Switzerland.

Powered by 190 kW hydrogen fuel cell system, the truck is reported to be able to travel approximately 400 km on a single charge. The refuelling time for each vehicle is about 8–20 minutes. Hyundai plans to roll out 50 vehicles this year, and a total of 1,600 trucks by 2025.

Switzerland was chosen as the location for the first roll out of trucks as the Swiss LSVA road tax on commercial vehicles does not apply for zero emission trucks, which nearly equalises the hauling costs per km of the fuel cell truck compared to a regular diesel truck.

Hyundai is also developing a long-distance tractor unit capable of travelling 1,000 km on a single charge. It will be equipped with an enhanced fuel cell system with high durability and power, aimed at global markets including North America and Europe.

‘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,’ says Cheol Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Division at Hyundai Motor.

Hyundai Motor Company formed Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM), a joint venture with Swiss company H2 Energy, in 2019. The joint venture will lease the XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks to commercial truck operators on a pay-per-use basis, meaning there is no initial investment for the commercial fleet customers.

Photo: Hyundai