Forget diesel; it's the diesel of hydrogen power! Hyundai Motor has recently introduced 30 of its hydrogen fuel cell trucks, known as Xcient, to Northern California. The said effort is part of the NorCAL ZERO Project, which has the goal of changing freight transport in the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley into a zero-emission operation.
The project is managed by the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) and supported by the California Air Resources Board, with a recent event marking the launch at Oakland's FirstElement Fuel hydrogen refueling station. Aside from this, this is the largest single commercial deployment of hydrogen-powered trucks in the U.S., made to cut carbon emissions from freight operations. The project is also expected to reduce more than 24,000 metric tons of carbon emissions by 2028, which is quite a progress towards cleaner energy sources in commercial transportation.
Additionally, Hyundai has pledged to increase its caravan in California by adding five more Xcient trucks as part of the Targeted Airshed Grants program funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These trucks are known for being the first mass-produced heavy-duty vehicles that run on hydrogen, providing a greener alternative to traditional diesel trucks.
The trucks themselves are provided with advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology that powers a 350 kW electric motor, which allows the trucks to travel more than 450 miles on a full charge, suitable for long-haul trips, without emitting harmful pollutants.
Everything about the project is included in Hyundai's goal of pushing forward a global hydrogen economy, with the practical use of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in a commercial setting by delivering a possible, cleaner alternative to diesel in heavy freight operations. If a Hyundai truck is calling your name, answer it at TruckDeal! Take a look at their offerings and get a quote for your chosen truck today.
