Hyundai has a comparatively lengthy historical past with, and obvious resolute dedication to, hydrogen. That dedication goes past passenger automobiles just like the Tucson Fuel Cell or Nexo. Today, its newest and best hydrogen effort is within the realm of economic automobiles. Hyundai has introduced that it’s sending the primary 10 of its new Xcient Fuel Cell semi vehicles to Switzerland, the place they’ll go to work shifting items whereas creating no dangerous emissions.
This is simply the primary cargo, as Hyundai plans to ship a complete of 50 of those Xcient FCEV semis to Switzerland by the top of this yr, with deliveries to clients starting in September. This shall be adopted by many extra, totaling 1,600 hydrogen-powered Xcient vehicles going to clients by 2025.
The Hyundai Xcient Fuel Cell is powered by a 190-kilowatt hydrogen gasoline cell system, made up of two 95-kW gasoline cell stacks. Hydrogen is saved in seven tanks, with about 71 kilos of hydrogen offering a driving vary of just about 250 miles between fill-ups within the 4×2 model (however Hyundai says extra correct vary figures based mostly on configurations and hundreds shall be up to date later). It additionally employs a 73.2-kilowatt-hour battery and a 350-kW (469-horsepower) electrical motor. It has a high pace of about 53 miles per hour.
Hyundai additionally says it’s growing a longer-distance model good for 621 miles of driving, which is meant for international markets, together with North America.
Though Hyundai hails this because the “world’s first mass-produced fuel cell heavy-duty truck,” different hydrogen semis have been put to use or shall be made out there quickly. Toyota has been testing gasoline cell vehicles as a part of its “Project Portal,” with early prototypes put to work on the Port of Los Angeles, on Southern California routes and even drag-racing a diesel-powered counterpart. Nikola has been engaged on its trio of gasoline cell vehicles for years. Honda and Isuzu additionally introduced a partnership for hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles earlier this yr.
As for the Xcient Fuel Cell, we just like the look of this massive rig, with the best way mild glints off its monumental grille. That stated, we’re excited concerning the future, too, as Hyundai additionally not too long ago confirmed off a retro-futuristic look with its HDC-6 Neptune hydrogen truck. Give us weird-looking semis that don’t pollute, and we’ll be even happier.