Hyundai introduces XCIENT HD fuel cell trucks at Georgia plant

Hyundai XCIENT fuel cell trucks unloading at the Port of Brunswick, Georgia (Photo: Hyundai Motor)

Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) is to deploy Hyundai XCIENT heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell trucks to support related logistics operations. Operated in cooperation with transport company Glovis America, the fleet will total 21 XCIENT trucks.

HMGMA is the first dedicated electric vehicle plant operated by Hyundai Motor. Located in Bryan County, Georgia, the new plant has a highly connected, automated and flexible manufacturing system.

“At HMGMA, we are committed to creating sustainable transportation solutions,” said Oscar Kwon, HMGMA CEO. “Our Hyundai XCIENT hydrogen fuel cell trucks that support the Metaplant release zero emissions and offer a cleaner alternative to the traditional freight logistics methods used at other manufacturing facilities.”

XCIENT 6x4 tractor units feature two 90 kW fuel cell stacks for a total output of 180 kW. The ‘tertiary’ fuel cell system converts hydrogen and also harvested thermal energy to electricity. Maximum onboard hydrogen storage is 68.6 kg at 700 bar. This delivers an approximate maximum range of 450 miles (725 km) with a full load. Three battery packs have a total storage capacity of 72 kWh. This energy goes on to power a 350 kW motor driven via a five-speed auto transmission.

The Class 8 HD XCIENT trucks will carry out milk runs to deliver parts from HMGMA suppliers to the Metaplant.

Rollout of the fuel cell trucks follows the announcement by Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) covering the launch of HTWO, its new hydrogen value chain business brand. This encompasses each stage of H2 fuel delivery, including production, storage, transportation and delivery.

Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America under construction in 2023 (Photo: Hyundai Motor)

“HMGMA’s deployment of XCIENT for logistics and operations is one of the main initiatives of HTWO,” said Jim Park, SVP, Commercial Vehicle and Hydrogen Business Development, Hyundai Motor North America.

“This is delivering on our strategy and vision to showcase a closed-loop hydrogen logistics ecosystem and improve the environmental sustainability of manufacturing operations.”

HTWO Logistics, a JV between HMG and Glovis America, will install a mobile hydrogen refuelling station at the Metaplant. A combined H2 production and refuelling facility is planned.

While the tractor version is currently only available in North America, rigid versions of the XCIENT fuel cell trucks have been operating in Europe since 2020. In 2024, Hyundai reported that the 48 trucks operating in Switzerland had accumulated a driven distance total of 10 million kilometers.