Hyundai Motor has established the world's first mass-production system for large-sized hydrogen-electric trucks and has opened the door to target the European eco-friendly commercial vehicle market, starting with exports to Switzerland.
Hyundai Motor announced on July 6 that it has shipped 10 XCIENT Fuel Cells, the world's first hydrogen-electric truck, at Gwangyang Port, Gwangyang City in South Jeolla Province and exported them to Switzerland.
Hyundai Motor plans to expand its leadership in the world's best hydrogen fuel cell technology to the commercial sector and further solidify its status as a leading brand for hydrogen-electric vehicles by supplying large quantities of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the truck sector.
In the case of large trucks, major car manufacturers have introduced prototypes and concept cars for exhibition that are used in demonstration projects for commercialization, but Hyundai Motor is the first to have a mass production system for general customer sales.
The export of the XCIENT hydrogen-electric trucks to Switzerland is Hyundai's first entry into the large commercial vehicle market in Western Europe, and it is meaningful that it has set the stage for preoccupying the hydrogen-electric commercial vehicle market one step ahead of its major competitors.
Starting with exports to Switzerland, Hyundai Motor plans to expand its supply areas to other Europe regions, including Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Norway, and further advance into the North American commercial vehicle market.
The XCIENT hydrogen-electric trucks shipped on the same day will be delivered to Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor, which was officially launched in September last year, and H2 Energy, a Swiss hydrogen solution company. Hyundai Motor will export 40 more units by the end of this year before gradually supplying a total of 1,600 units by 2025.
