Hyundai Motor and Plus Unveil Vision for Autonomous Hydrogen-Powered Freight Network
Key Ideas
- Hyundai Motor and Plus showcase a scalable path to zero-tailpipe emission autonomous long-haul freight powered by hydrogen infrastructure at ACT Expo 2025.
- The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of a hydrogen-powered freight network in the U.S., focusing on greater efficiency and improved road safety for commercial transportation.
- Hyundai is already operating hydrogen-powered XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks in the U.S., logging nearly 450,000 miles in zero-tailpipe emission freight transport, showcasing the practicality and benefits of hydrogen technology.
- The concept video illustrates the potential of autonomous hydrogen fuel cell trucks, highlighting features such as zero-tailpipe emissions, fast refueling, long driving range, quieter operation, and reduced maintenance.
At the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo 2025 in Anaheim, California, Hyundai Motor and Plus unveiled a shared vision for accelerating the development of a hydrogen-powered freight network in the United States. The collaboration combines Hyundai's hydrogen-powered XCIENT Fuel Cell truck with Plus's autonomous driving software, SuperDrive™, to provide a scalable and cost-effective solution for long-haul freight, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of commercial transportation. The concept video showcased during the event outlined a practical framework for deploying autonomous hydrogen fuel cell trucks along major freight corridors, focusing on building early momentum, stimulating demand for hydrogen refueling stations, and expanding infrastructure to support a growing fleet. The partnership between Hyundai and Plus aims to improve road safety, freight efficiency, and sustainability in the transportation industry.
Hyundai Motor has already made significant strides in the U.S. with its clean logistics milestones, operating 30 XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks at the Ports of Oakland and Richmond through the NorCAL ZERO Project, the largest hydrogen truck deployment in North America. Additionally, in Georgia, 21 XCIENT trucks support logistics at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America under the HTWO Logistics initiative, demonstrating the practicality and efficiency of hydrogen technology in logistics operations.
The concept video also highlighted the key features of autonomous hydrogen fuel cell trucks, such as zero-tailpipe emissions, fast refueling, long driving range, quieter operation, and reduced maintenance, positioning the XCIENT Fuel Cell truck as an ideal choice for continuous long-haul transport. The vision outlined by Hyundai and Plus envisions a future where autonomous hydrogen fuel cell trucks play a vital role in creating a cleaner, more efficient transportation system, benefiting not only the commercial sector but also contributing to a more sustainable future.