Hyundai has started rolling out its XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks in Australia, marking a major milestone in the country’s transition to environmentally friendly heavy transport.
Four customers in Western Australia have committed to purchasing the XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks. The tough working environments in the state will test the suitability of hydrogen in heavy-duty conditions, while its hydrogen supply chains make it a logical starting point.
According to Hyundai, XCIENT Fuel Cell is the world’s first mass-produced, heavy-duty truck powered by hydrogen. Equipped with a 350kW electric motor, it has a range of approximately 400 kilometres and can be refuelled in under 20 minutes. Hyundai has deployed XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks in 13 countries.
Partnering with Australian on hydrogen vehicles
Hyundai launched its first hydrogen vehicle – the ix35 Fuel Cell passenger vehicle – in Australia in 2015. The company gained insights into Australia’s hydrogen regulations, infrastructure constraints and safety frameworks. The learnings now inform Hyundai’s current approach to hydrogen in the heavy vehicle space.
The company is also drawing on more than a decade of global investment in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and years of learning in markets where hydrogen trucks are operating.
Hyundai is bringing this hydrogen expertise to the Australian market. The company is working with Advanced Manufacturing Queensland to convert the XCIENT trucks from left to right-hand drive. This involves detailed engineering and validation to ensure the XCIENT meets Hyundai’s global standards while being fit for Australian roads.
Hyundai has also established a hydrogen refuelling station at its head office in New South Wales to support demonstration vehicles, technical development and internal capability building. This ensures sales, technical and aftersales teams can support fleet customers with accurate, practical guidance.
Hyundai is working with customers to validate its XCIENT hydrogen-powered trucks.
Australia’s hydrogen opportunity
Hydrogen has the potential to be an important contributor to a net zero world. Australia’s renewable energy resources make us well placed to produce hydrogen at internationally competitive prices. The National Hydrogen Strategy demonstrates the strong support of Australia’s governments for growing the hydrogen industry. Learn more about Australia’s hydrogen opportunities.
Australia is also working to reduce emissions by switching to cleaner transport. Find out what Australia is doing to reduce transport emissions.
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