Back to Latest News

Hyundai Motor Unveils the New XCIENT Heavy-Duty Fuel Cell Truck at ACT Expo 2025

Releases • April 29, 2025

• Hyundai showcases the new XCIENT Fuel Cell truck and hydrogen fuel cell system at ACT Expo 2025 in Anaheim, California.
• North America-tailored model adds newly developed ADAS and advanced hydrogen technologies.
• New U.S. business model and partnerships announced to accelerate commercialization of clean transportation.
• Successful XCIENT fleet ops through NorCAL ZERO and HTWO Logistics highlighted, underscoring Hyundai’s leading role in the hydrogen transition.

SEOUL/ANAHEIM, April 29, 2025 – Hyundai Motor Company introduced the new XCIENT Fuel Cell Class-8 heavy-duty truck at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo 2025 in Anaheim, California, reinforcing its commitment to expand hydrogen business in North America.

Across the April 28–May 1 event, Hyundai aims to strengthen leadership in the global hydrogen energy transition and the North American commercial vehicle sector, leveraging Hyundai Motor Group’s manufacturing expertise and the HTWO hydrogen business brand to build a cleaner, more resilient ecosystem.

At Hyundai’s ACT Expo press conference, Ken Ramirez, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Commercial Vehicle and Hydrogen Business, emphasized delivering production-ready, real-world solutions that advance the industry in safety, efficiency and sustainability through cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships.

New Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck for North America

Aligned with its clean logistics vision, Hyundai unveiled the new production XCIENT Fuel Cell heavy-duty truck, first shown in concept at ACT Expo 2024 and now engineered specifically for North American duty cycles.

As the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck, XCIENT Fuel Cell advances zero-tailpipe-emission transport. Launched in 2020, it has been deployed in 13 countries and logged more than 13 million cumulative kilometers in Switzerland alone, underscoring Hyundai’s long-term reliability and public-private collaboration.

Since 2021, the North American model has undergone extensive testing across climates and real-world use cases, shaped by feedback from fleet operators for ports and medium-distance logistics.

XCIENT Fuel Cell — Key Specifications

• 180 kW hydrogen fuel cell system (two 90 kW stacks)
• 72 kWh battery pack
• 350 kW e-motor with max torque of 2,237 Nm
• Driving range up to 450 miles (optimal conditions)
• 10 hydrogen tanks (≈ 68 kg total capacity)
• Class-8 tractor variant for North America
• GCW up to 82,000 lbs for heavy-duty applications

Driver comfort and ergonomics are elevated with a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which integrates physical buttons in the center console for ease of use.

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Smart Cruise Control (SCC)
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning — Near (BCW-NEAR)
• Forward Collision Warning — Near (FCW-NEAR)

Clean Logistics in North America — Real-World Progress

Through the NorCAL ZERO Project, 30 XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks operate at the Ports of Oakland and Richmond — North America’s largest single deployment of hydrogen trucks — providing zero-tailpipe-emission freight transport and nearly 450,000 miles of operation since September 2023.

Hyundai also partners with GLOVIS America on HTWO Logistics around Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) to decarbonize logistics using on-site hydrogen production and consumption. 21 XCIENT trucks now handle nearly half of HMGMA’s inbound/outbound deliveries.

This full hydrogen ecosystem — production, supply, refueling and vehicle operations — demonstrates Hyundai’s operational capability and commitment to a decarbonized logistics value chain. Following its October 2024 launch, partners plan to replicate the model globally.

HTWO Open Platform & New Refueling/Recharging Station

Hyundai announced the expansion of HTWO into an open platform connecting partners and investors across the hydrogen value chain. The company also revealed plans for HTWO Energy Savannah, the industry’s first Class-8 hydrogen refueling and electric recharging station with HydroFleet and Capital Development Partners near HMGMA in Savannah, Georgia. Operations are targeted by the end of 2025.

On Display & Test Drives at ACT Expo 2025

The XCIENT Fuel Cell truck is on display at Hyundai’s booth (open to the public April 29–May 1) alongside the hydrogen fuel cell system and U.S. business exhibits. Media and industry partners can experience XCIENT Fuel Cell test drives during the expo to sample the truck’s latest technologies and upgrades.

April 29, 2025