Hyundai Motor to Produce 2,000 Hydrogen Trucks Annually Starting Next Year

Target to Supply 25,000 Hydrogen Trucks in Europe and 12,000 in the US by 2030

Seven Hyundai Motor Company ‘Xcient Hydrogen Electric Trucks’ stand in front of the Lucerne Transport Museum in Switzerland for the customer delivery ceremony. (Photo by Hyundai Motor Company)

[Asia Economy Reporters Suyeon Woo, Jihui Kim] Hyundai Motor Company has decided to establish an annual production system of 2,000 hydrogen electric trucks by next year. Based on this, the company aims to supply more than 25,000 hydrogen electric trucks to the European market, 12,000 to North America, and 27,000 to China by 2030.

Hyundai Motor announced its mid- to long-term future strategy for hydrogen commercial vehicles on the 8th, centered on delivering the world's first mass-produced large hydrogen electric trucks to local customers in Europe. The company also revealed plans to introduce long-distance large hydrogen electric trucks capable of traveling over 1,000 km on a single charge through continuous technological development. ▶Related article on page 12

On the 7th (local time), Hyundai Motor held a local delivery ceremony for the 'Xcient Hydrogen Electric Truck' in Lucerne, Switzerland, delivering vehicles to seven major Swiss supermarkets and logistics companies including Coop, Migros, and Trebaggo. Earlier, in July, Hyundai Motor shipped 10 Xcient trucks from Gwangyang Port in Jeollanam-do to Switzerland. Among these, seven trucks that completed the cargo bed installation in Europe were delivered at this ceremony, and the remaining three are scheduled for delivery by the end of this month. Hyundai Motor plans to export an additional 40 hydrogen electric trucks to Switzerland by the end of this year.

Notably, the supply of Xcient hydrogen electric trucks this time is conducted in a new concept hydrogen mobility service model where users pay fees based on usage. The fees include all vehicle operation-related service costs such as charging, repairs, insurance, and regular maintenance, making it convenient. Since last year, Hyundai Motor has been promoting a 'hydrogen electric large truck ecosystem' that organically connects vehicle supply, customers, hydrogen charging, and hydrogen production, in collaboration with overseas related companies such as Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HMM) and H2 Energy, centered on the Swiss Hydrogen Mobility Association.

Through this, Hyundai Motor’s strategy is to quickly expand its presence in the European commercial vehicle market by reducing the initial costs and business burdens for customer companies. To establish a stable position not only in Europe but also in major hydrogen electric truck markets such as North America and China, Hyundai Motor will build a mass production system capable of supplying up to 2,000 hydrogen electric trucks annually by 2021. The company also plans to introduce long-distance large hydrogen electric trucks capable of traveling over 1,000 km on a single charge in the future.

Lee In-cheol, Vice President and Head of Hyundai Motor’s Commercial Vehicle Division, said, "The delivery of the Xcient hydrogen electric trucks to European customers marks not only Hyundai Motor’s achievement in hydrogen electric vehicle development but also the beginning of full-scale use of hydrogen as a clean energy source." He added, "Building on the successful entry into Europe, we will continue the journey of new eco-friendly commercial vehicles to North America and China."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.