Hyundai Motor Company unveiled the Xcient fuel-cell-electric Class 8 heavy-duty truck designed for the North American market at Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo 2025 in Anaheim, Calif.
The new Xcient is powered by a 180-kW hydrogen fuel cell system. Equipped with two 90-kW stacks, and a 72-kWh battery pack, it features a 350-kW e-motor, providing maximum torque of 2,237 Nm. Under optimal conditions, it delivers a driving range of a maximum 450 miles (724 km).
The Class 8 tractor contains 10 hydrogen tanks offering a total combined capacity of 68 kg. The gross combination weight of up to 82,000 lb. (37194 kg) makes it suitable for heavy-duty applications, the manufacturer said.
Interior enhancements include a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, offering drivers information at a glance, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring physical buttons integrated into the center console for driver convenience and ergonomics.
Equipped with ADAS
The new model is also equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). They include forward collision avoidance assist, lane departure warning, smart cruise control, blind-spot collision warning, blind-spot collision warning-near, and forward collision warning-near.
Jerome Gregeois, director, commercial vehicle development, Hyundai America Technical Centre said that design changes include a higher positioned rear deck utility camera for better visibility in reverse, an adjusted crossmember design to enhance kingpin function and a reduced number of fuel cell cooling filters to streamline maintenance.
Ken Ramirez, executive vice-president and head of global commercial vehicle and hydrogen business at Hyundai Motor Company said, “We have led the way in hydrogen powered commercial vehicles in Europe, nearly 100 fuel cell trucks in real world operation have covered over 15 million kilometers, proving its unmatched resilience and contributing to carbon neutrality.
“In total, up to now, we have deployed nearly 3,000 fuel cell trucks and busses across 14 countries, further expanding our contribution to clean mobility.”
He also highlighted Hyundai’s capabilities across the hydrogen value chain – from production to storage, transportation, and utilization – to build a more sustainable and resilient ecosystem.
Tested in British Columbia
Since 2021, the Xcient has undergone rigorous testing across diverse climates and use cases in North America, including British Columbia.
Gregeois said that the testing focused on powertrain efficiency, cooling and advanced driver assistance systems. This was combined with collaboration with fleet operators in a variety of duty cycles.
The vehicle meets various customer needs, including port transportation and medium-distance logistics, according to the manufacturer.
