Hyundai used the recent Brisbane Truck Show to mark the arrival in this country of the Korean brand’s hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) range of Xcient heavy duty zero emission trucks.
Hyundai has been one of the world leaders in FCEV technology since launching the concept in Switzerland almost five years ago following successful testing and development in its own south Korean environment prior t that.
The company has also successfully tested and run FCEV concepts of its Xcient range s part of a full scale trial with NZ Post and other leading green carriers across the ditch in NZ over the past three years.
Hyundai Australia claims the Australian debut of the Xcient Fuel Cell Truck at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show, marked a significant milestone in the this country’s transition to environmentally friendly heavy transport.
The company reckons that this initiative marks a critical step in its mission to grow the Australian hydrogen mobility sector.
Hyundai Australia claims it is in discussions at the moment, which are focused on identifying practical applications for the Xcient FCEV, across what it describes as a variety of use cases and operational environments.
The company says this is to ensure Xcient will be tailored to Australian conditions and industry needs, which has led it to active discussions with a wide range of prospective partners in this country.
Hyundai Australia says it is encourages interested fleets and organisations to reach out directly to discuss opportunities to participate in pilot programs or to explore the integration of hydrogen-powered vehicles into their operations.
Visitors to the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show are invited to experience XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck in person at the Hyundai stand, with product experts on hand to provide insights into hydrogen mobility and discuss the suitability of the XCIENT to their fleet needs.
The Xcients Hyundai currently has here in Australia for trials at the moment include a 38 tonne GVM 4×2 rigid (19.5 tonne tare) or a 6×2 42 tonne GVM prime mover or rigid ( 27 tonne tare)
The company says that the trucks have a hydrogen fuel capacity of 31kg at 350bar, while boasting a 72kWh battery capacity with its fuel cell outputting around 180kW ( two times 90kW fuel cell stacks),with a motor output of 350kW and 2237Nm of torque with an estimated range on a tankful of 400km and an approximate refuelling time of around eight minutes from empty to full at a 350bar H2 fuelling station.
The FCEV Hyundai Xcient is mated to an Allison 4500R automatic transmission.
Hyundai Australia also showcased what it declared was an enhanced version of its light duty zero emission Mighty Electric truck, range which it said features new specifications, saying they were tailored for urban and regional operations throughout the country.
Hyundai said in Brisbane that its Xcient Fuel Cell has already been deployed in 13 countries, and has logged more than 13 million kilometres in real-world operations in its original launch market of Switzerland alone.
As mentioned earlier, closer to here in Australia, the Xcient has been part of trials across the ‘Dutch” in New Zealand, with several truck having already covered more than 100,000 kilometres since 2021.
Hyundai reckons that in Australia where freight significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, the Xcient FCEV trucks will represent a game-changing opportunity for fleets to transition to eco-friendly transport without compromising on range or power.
The company declared that as it takes bold steps toward a cleaner transport future, the unveiling of its next-generation of zero tailpipe emission trucks at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show signals more than just new product innovation.
“This reflects the company’s strategic vision to decarbonise commercial transport in Australia and is a commitment that is echoed by HMCA head of commercial vehicles and fleet, Martin Him.
In Brisbane Him emphasised the broader significance of the launch, saying that the unveiling of Xcient FCEVand the enhanced Mighty Electric at the 2025 Truck Show highlighted its dedication to leading Australia’s shift towards sustainable commercial transport.
“With a focus on innovation and environmental responsibility, Hyundai continues to develop solutions that meet the evolving needs of the transport industry,” ,” said Him
“As Hyundai continues its global leadership in eco mobility, the launch of XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck in Australia is a defining moment.,” he said.
“It represents more than just a new product – it is a call to action for industry, government, and energy sectors to embrace a cleaner, smarter transport future,” Him added.
“Through continuous investment in battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies, Hyundai aims to lead the transition to low-emissions transport in Australia and beyond.”
Hyundai claims its Xcient Fuel Cell is the world’s first mass-produced, heavy-duty truck powered by hydrogen, offering a sustainable solution for long-haul freight whilst decarbonising freight transport. It is already on sales in a number of markets despite the fact that leading brands such as Daimler nd Volvo are still three years way from launching their versions of commercial FCEV’s on a global stage.
The Xcient FCEV is equipped with a 350kW electric motor, producing no harmful emissions part from only emitting only water vapour, while the truck boasts a range of approximately 400km on a full tank of hydrogen, witht he company claiming it can be refuelled in under 20 minutes, minimising downtime for operators.
Hyundai reckons its Xcient Fuel Cell is not only clean but claims it also extremely smart and safe, thanks to Hyundai’s latest SmartSense safety suite, which it says includes forward collision-avoidance, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, driver attention warning and hill start assist
Hyundai also pointed out that in addition, regenerative braking and its high-efficiency drivetrain reduce operational energy use, claiming this ensures that its sustainability is also cost-effective.
Hyundai reckons its Long-term plans for the fuel cell truck include integrating Xcient into Australia’s slowly developing and growing hydrogen economy, which it claims is supported by local green hydrogen production projects.
Hyundai claims that its Xcient Fuel Cell Truck is currently in Australia for what it describes as a “comprehensive program of evaluation, technical assessment, and real-world fleet trials”.
