Hyundai Deploys First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck Fleet in South America in Uruguay
Hyundai Motor has deployed an eight-truck XCIENT Fuel Cell fleet in Uruguay, marking South America's first hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty truck operation.
8 trucks
$40 million
77 tons/year
What Happened
Hyundai Motor Company announced the deployment of eight XCIENT Fuel Cell Class-8 heavy-duty trucks in Uruguay as part of the Kahirós Project, a local initiative to decarbonize timber logistics using green hydrogen. The fleet is South America's first hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty truck operation and aligns with Uruguay's goal of using renewable energy, which generated 99% of its electricity from renewables in 2024.
$40 millionUSD
Backed by Santander Group, the project includes a 4.8 MW solar park and an electrolysis plant producing 77 tons of green hydrogen annually.
“Our Hyundai XCIENT trucks with hydrogen fuel cells supporting the Kahirós Project produce no tailpipe emissions and offer a lower-carbon alternative to traditional freight logistics methods.”
- XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks already in operation in North America and Europe.
- Deployment in Uruguay expands global hydrogen ecosystem.
- Hyundai Motor Group's HTWO platform provides end-to-end hydrogen value chain solutions.
Why this matters
This deployment demonstrates hydrogen fuel cell technology's viability for commercial trucking in South America, supporting decarbonization of logistics and showcasing integration with renewable energy.
Terms in This Story
- fuel cell
- A device that converts hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical reaction, emitting only water vapor.
- green hydrogen
- Hydrogen produced via electrolysis using renewable energy, resulting in zero carbon emissions.
- electrolysis
- A process that uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
- Class-8 heavy-duty truck
- The largest classification for heavy trucks in the US, typically used for long-haul freight.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.