Hyundai is expanding into the Middle Eastern hydrogen fuel cell truck market, starting with the introduction of the Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck in Israel.
Hyundai has agreed to supply three Xcient hydrogen fuel cell trucks, one each to its Israeli dealership ‘Colmobil’, hydrogen production company ‘Bazan’, and hydrogen charging station operator ‘Sonol’.
The trucks to be delivered include the 4×2 Xcient hydrogen fuel cell model, equipped with a 180kW hydrogen fuel cell system, capable of exceeding 400km on a single charge.
The Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck supplied to ‘Colmobil’ is expected to start operations in the first quarter of next year, marking it as the first hydrogen fuel cell truck to be operated commercially in the Middle East.
‘Colmobil’, ‘Bazan’, and ‘Sonol’ have signed a business agreement to establish a hydrogen value chain in response to the Israeli government’s strong commitment to carbon neutrality, which led to the decision to introduce the Xcient hydrogen fuel cell trucks.
Last year, Israel announced greenhouse gas reduction targets, aiming for a 27% reduction by 2030 and an 85% reduction by 2050 compared to 2015 levels. This initiative sets more ambitious long-term goals compared to the previous plan to reduce per capita emissions by 26% from 2005 levels by 2030.
In alignment with these initiatives, Hyundai plans to expand the supply of Xcient hydrogen fuel cell trucks throughout the Middle East, centered in Israel.
Mark Freymüller, Executive Vice President of Hyundai’s Commercial Innovation Division, stated, “Collaborating closely with major companies in Israel to participate in the initial establishment of local hydrogen infrastructure is an important milestone for Hyundai, which is striving to form a global hydrogen value chain. I am confident that the Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck will contribute significantly to accelerating Israel’s energy transition.”
The Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck is the world’s first mass-produced large hydrogen fuel cell truck, currently operating in South Korea, Switzerland, Germany, and New Zealand. The 47 units introduced in Switzerland have achieved a total mileage of 5 million km from October 2020 to the present, proving their reliability and eco-friendliness.
Additionally, through the ‘California Port Clean Truck Program’ and the ‘2021 TAG (Targeted Airshed Grants)’ led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a total of 35 Xcient hydrogen fuel cell trucks supplied to California are set to commence commercial operations in the third quarter of next year.
By Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr