​Hyundai Motor's fuel cell truck secures new clients in Germany

By Kim Joo-heon Posted : August 2, 2022, 16:15 Updated : August 2, 2022, 16:15

[Courtesy of Hyundai Motor]

SEOUL -- A fuel cell truck developed by South Korea's Hyundai auto group is gaining popularity in overseas markets by securing new customers in Germany following the first shipment of its modified Xcient model to Switzerland two years ago. The group aims to secure more clients in other European countries.

Hyundai has modified its Xcient truck to produce a fuel cell model capable of delivering a travel range of about 400 kilometers (248 miles) on a single charge. The group started shipping the first batch of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks to a client in Switzerland in 2020.

In a new deal, Hyundai will supply 27 fuel cell heavy-duty trucks to seven German companies selected by the country's transport ministry to receive subsidies. "We look forward to strengthening Hyundai's position in Germany through the supply contract," Hyundai's commercial vehicle business innovation head Mark Freymueller said in a statement on August 2. 

By 2030, Hyundai aims to sell 25,000 fuel cell trucks in Europe, 12,000 in the United States and 27,000 in China. The company is working on an upgraded model capable of traveling up to 1,000 km on a single charge.

The automaker has strived to establish hydrogen fuel cell value chains by introducing diverse hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles. Hyundai's fuel cell electric buses have been deployed to a downtown route in Vienna for commercial operation. In 2021, Hyundai gained support from funding agencies based in California and other local communities to demonstrate "Class 8 XCIENT Fuel Cell" with a maximum driving range of about 800 km. 

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