Hyundai launches XCient fuel cell truck in Israel
Hyundai is bringing its hydrogen fuel cell truck Xcient to Israel, its first market in the Middle East. The vehicles will form part of a partnership between Hyundai agency Colmobil, hydrogen producer Bazan and refuelling station operator Sonol.
The aim is to form a hydrogen value chain in Israel, so Hyundai, if only a short one to start with. Colmobil, Bazan and Sonol will receive an Xcient truck to put into commercial operations in the first quarter of 2023.
They opted for the 4×2 variant equipped with a 180-kW fuel cell system offering over 400 km range. Colmobil will use it to procure parts on daily routes of about 330 km.
Hyundai points out that its plan aligns with Israel’s target to slash national greenhouse gas emissions by 27 per cent by 2030 and by 85 per cent by 2050, relative to 2015 emission levels.
“We are thrilled to support the Israel government’s strong commitment to building a sustainable future,” said Mark Freymueller, Senior VP and Head of Commercial Vehicle Business Innovation at Hyundai. “Establishing the first hydrogen infrastructure in Israel in close collaboration with the country’s key players marks a significant milestone in our efforts to build a sustainable hydrogen value chain around the world.”
The Israel project indeed follows similar XCient roll-outs in other countries. Currently, Hyundai has installed the Xcient in real-world commercial operations in Germany, Switzerland, Korea and New Zealand and is preparing to launch in Southern California in late 2023.
The Swiss project is among the most prominent ones since initial plans hoped for a future fleet of up to 1,600 fuel cell trucks, although this has last run into difficulties due to fluctuating energy prices, as reported. So far, 47 units have been operating in Switzerland since October 2020 and achieved a cumulative mileage of over 5 million km through October this year.+
Hyundai launched the XCient in 2020. About half a year later, the company presented a revised version. Hyundai considers the Xcient the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen-powered electric truck for heavy-duty transport.
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