Hyundai’s XCient hydrogen fuel cell electric semi-trucks have arrived in Georgia.

As soon as the industry deemed it safe to count on hydrogen as a reliable alternative to battery-electric power for North America’s medium- and heavy-duty trucks, Hyundai’s XCIENT HFCEV Class 8 semi-truck rolled into Georgia, ready to hit the ground running?

Hyundai’s XCIENT hydrogen-powered semi-trucks will soon be deployed at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America facility, where they’ll play a crucial role in streamlining logistics operations for the plant by utilizing their heavy-duty Class 8 gas cell technology.

Operational in conjunction with logistics provider Glovis America as part of a three-way partnership, Hyundai’s pioneering hydrogen-powered semi-fleet comprises 21 XCIENT vans, each equipped with electric motors that combine to produce 470 horsepower and 1,650 pound-feet of torque at zero revolutions per minute. Unlike traditional electric vehicles with direct-drive or single-speed setups found in Tesla models and some budget-friendly EVs, the Hyundai XCIENT features an Allison 400 Series fully automated six-speed transmission that optimizes energy deployment by allowing the electric motor to operate within its optimal efficiency range near zero rpm, even at high speeds.

Hyundai’s official launch doesn’t specify precise tank capacities, but experts predict that Vary will have a range within 400 km (250 miles).

Jim Park, Senior Vice President of Business Cars and Hydrogen Enterprise Improvement at Hyundai Motor North America, notes that HMGMA’s deployment of XCIENT for logistics and operations is a crucial initiative within HTWO. “That milestone marks a significant step in realizing our vision by successfully implementing a self-sustaining hydrogen logistics system, thereby reducing the ecological footprint of our production processes.”

Hyundai Motor Company and Glovis America have formed a three-way partnership, dubbed HTWO Logistics, which aims to establish a cellular hydrogen refueling station at the automaker’s Georgia Mega-site. The facility will facilitate more sustainable car fueling and address concerns such as leakage, boil-off, and hydrogen sourcing with enhanced management capabilities. A clear-hydrogen manufacturing and refueling station is under development at the Megasite, poised to debut soon.

Electrek’s Take

While Nikola’s predicament is undoubtedly concerning, the fundamental question remains: Is the company’s struggles solely the result of its own missteps, or are they driven by the inherent challenges, complexity, and prohibitively high costs associated with establishing a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle ecosystem? Hyundai’s financial situation stands out from Nikola’s, boasting a substantial war chest. Is the Adidas fitness center bursting at the seams with a treasure trove of wealth? Sufficient cash exists, so cash shouldn’t be a concern until it becomes one.

That’s my take, anyway. What’s your writing style? Despite initial skepticism, it’s crucial to acknowledge the possibility of Nikola’s impending collapse – a notion I approach with a healthy dose of caution, as the company has repeatedly teetered on the brink of disaster without actually succumbing to its demise. Let’s hope they manage to rescue their situation once more from the jaws of defeat.

: Hyundai.