Hyundai expands its North American hydrogen logistics and transport value chain

Hyundai Motor Company introduced the status of its North American logistics transportation business and announced plans to expand its hydrogen commercial value chain with a focus on clean logistics transportation at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo 2024 (ACT Expo 2024) media conference, which will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) from Monday, 20 May to Wednesday, 23 May, local time.

The company also unveiled a concept model of the XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck, which will play a key role in the business.

At this year's CES 2024, Hyundai announced its intention to accelerate the transition to a hydrogen society with the announcement that it will expand its existing hydrogen fuel cell system brand, HTWO, to become the brand of Hyundai Motor Group's hydrogen value chain business.

"Hydrogen is a safe and sustainable energy carrier, and Hyundai is leading the way to a hydrogen society," said Ken Ramirez, Vice President, Global Commercial & Hydrogen Business Unit, Hyundai Motor Company. "We believe that our journey to develop a hydrogen commercial value chain business by combining our mobility and energy business capabilities within the Hyundai Motor Group is 'Progress for Humanity.

Hyundai is accelerating its hydrogen commercial mobility business with the delivery of 30 Exiant hydrogen-electric trucks to G.E.T Freight, a trucking division of GLOVIS America, in the second half of last year through the California Ports Zero Emission Truck Adoption Project (NorCAL ZERO). This is the largest single supply to a North American carrier and is significant in that it will replace existing high-polluting trucks, contributing significantly to the decarbonisation of the ports of Oakland and Richmond.

Starting with this project, the company plans to build a full-fledged 'hydrogen commercial mobility value chain' that goes beyond vehicle sales to include ▲ hydrogen supply and charging station construction, ▲ leasing and financing, and ▲ maintenance services.

In addition, in collaboration with Globis America, Hyundai Motor Group will introduce the HTWO Logistics solution, an eco-friendly logistics system, to Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia. Specifically, we will supply Exiant hydrogen electric trucks to build a hydrogen commercial value chain system specialised in transporting parts and finished vehicles.

At ACT Expo 2024, the company also unveiled the Exiant hydrogen electric truck product enhancement model concept via digital video for the first time. Based on North American customer driving experience and feedback gathered over the past year since its launch last year, the Exiant will feature a number of advanced driving technologies to help drivers navigate, including collision avoidance assistance (FCA), lane departure warning (LDW), blind spot warning (SOD), smart cruise control (SCC) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

In addition, it will enhance practicality and convenience through infographic specifications such as ▲ 12.3-inch digital cluster ▲ 12.3-inch wide-touch digital infotainment system ▲ right blind spot detection function.

In addition to displaying the Exiant hydrogen electric truck and hydrogen fuel cell system, Hyundai will also host a test drive programme for local media and industry stakeholders during the fair.

Meanwhile, Hyundai has begun testing Level 4 autonomous driving with autonomous driving technology company Plus on the Exiant hydrogen electric truck, the first hydrogen electric truck in the United States. The test is being conducted in the U.S. with the Lv.4 autonomous driving system, which will provide solutions to reduce accidents and improve cargo transport efficiency.

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Photo Hyundai Motor Company