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Hyundai links with H2E for Swiss electric fleet

H2 Energy hydrogen supplier to run 1,000 heavy-duty fuel cell electric trucks

 

Good as its word, Hyundai Motor Company has used the IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018 show in Hanover to announce its first European fleet of hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks (FCET).

Hyundai and Swiss hydrogen company H2 Energy (H2E) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for “1,000 heavy-duty fuel cell electric trucks and an adequate supply chain for renewable hydrogen”, the Korean company says.

On completion the deal aims to start in 2019 and run for five years.

The MOU signing ceremony involved Hyundai Motor executive vice president and head of commercial vehicle division In Cheol Lee and H2E chairman Rolf Huber.

“We are yet again advancing the field of fuel cell technology in the automotive industry with today’s announcement of our ambition to commercialise the fuel cell electric truck for the first time in the world,” In Cheol Lee says.

“We will continue to seek opportunities for expanding into other markets by carefully monitoring multiple factors such as fueling infrastructure and governmental policies.”


Read how Hyundai lifted the lid on its IAA fuel cell truck ambitions, here


Hyundai states the FCET is being developed according to European regulations.

It is expected to deliver a single-fueling travel range of about 400km and, in order to secure sufficient range, eight large hydrogen tanks are being installed, utilising areas such as between the cabin and the rigid body.

H2 Energy specialised in production and supply of renewable hydrogen in Switzerland, with subsidiaries in Germany, Norway and Austria.

“The company is experienced in the roll out of an optimised hydrogen ecosystem, which focuses on commercial viability for all stakeholders,” the companies say.

H2 Energy plans to make Hyundai’s fuel cell electric trucks available to its Swiss customers starting with the members of the Swiss H2 Association, which includes refuelling-station operators, retailers and other customers focusing on eco-friendly solutions for logistics and goods distribution.

“A sustainable hydrogen economy needs a designated ecosystem for hydrogen. This is why our collaboration between Hyundai Motor, H2 Energy, the Swiss H2 Association, and Key electricity producers in Switzerland is strategic and makes a lot of sense” Huber says.

Hyundai insists fuel cell electric powertrain technology has advantages over battery electric powertrain technology in larger vehicles such as trucks and buses.

“Fuel cell technology saves space and reduces weight as well as being more cost efficient to apply as the vehicle size increases,” it argues.

“Therefore, the technology is deemed to have a wide array of opportunities to be utilised in the commercial vehicle field.”

Fuel cell electric truck specifications (4×2 cargo truck)*

Specification

  Truck

Gross Vehicle Weight

  18 ton (GCW 34 ton with trailer)

Length

  9,745 mm

Width

  2,550 mm

Height

  3,730 mm

Wheelbase

  5,130 mm

Driving Range

  Approximately 400 km

Hydrogen Refueling Time

  7 min

Tank Capacity / Pressure

  32.86 kgH2 / 350 bar

Fuel Cell Stack Power

  190 kW (2 x 95 kW)

Traction Motor

  350 kW / 3,400 Nm

Safety Features

  FCA, LDW**

* Vehicle under development and production model specification may vary. ** FCA: Front Collision Avoidance Assist, LDW: Lane Departure Warning.

 

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