Hyundai gives details on H2 trucks for Switzerland
By 2025, Hyundai intends to bring a total of 1,600 fuel cell trucks onto the Swiss market and has just released details. The first 50 Hyundai H2 XCIENT will be delivered to Switzerland next year.
The Hyundai H2 XCIENT fuel cell truck was developed according to European guidelines. It is powered by a new 190 kW FC system using two 95-kW stacks connected in parallel. The seven hydrogen tanks provide a storage capacity of almost 35 kg of hydrogen, which give the truck a range of around 400 kilometres.
Hydrogen for the trucks will be coming from Hydrospider – a joint venture between Alpiq, H2 Energy and recently also Linde – that was founded at the beginning of 2019 for the production, storage and delivery of green hydrogen. At the end of 2019, green hydrogen will be produced at the electrolysis plant at Alpiq’s Gösgen hydroelectric power station.
In Cheol Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Division at Hyundai Motor explained that “Through this partnership between Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility and Hydrospider, Hyundai Motor will offer its fuel cell electric trucks in a specially-designed ecosystem.” He believes that “Our strong business case demonstrates both the economic and ecologic viability of fuel cell truck mobility”.
The aim of the Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM) and Hydrospider joint ventures have taken on the task of establishing the first industrial hydrogen ecosystem with filling station operators and logistics and trading partners in Switzerland and other European countries. HHM, Hydrospider and the members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association are currently jointly creating the infrastructure for mobility solutions for fuel cell trucks as part of the business case.
In a further step, HHM also wants to position itself on the European market for electric commercial vehicles with fuel cell technology. At present, the focus is on developing solutions and partner networks in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Norway.
Though Hyundai is forging ahead with an undeniable edge, other fuel cell players are keenly eyeing the European trucking industry.
Earlier in September this year, we reported that CNH Industrial and US fuel cell truck maker Nikola are also planning to set up a European joint venture for fuel cell trucks. Nikola’s Tre is a fuel cell heavy-duty truck made specifically for European conditions that will eventually be developed through the joint venture in Europe. Bosch invested in Nikola soon after. Bosch has been an important development partner for fuel cells and battery technology for heavy trucks. “Bosch’s investment confirms its commitment to the development of hydrogen technology and hydrogen infrastructure,” wrote Nikola.
Back in Switzerland, Hyundai said of their ecosystem cooperation involving HHM, Hydrospider and the members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association: “These players are dedicated to solve the chicken-egg dilemma and demonstrate both the economic and ecologic viability of commercial fuel cell truck mobility.”
With additional reporting from Carrie Hampel
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