Hyundai teases FCEV concept truck

Hyundai has revealed the first renderings of its concept for a hydrogen-powered fuel-cell powered electric truck called the HDC-6 Neptune.

The company will debut its latest commercial truck concept at this year’s North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta, Georgia over October 28-31.

In addition, Hyundai Translead (HT) will also reveal an eco-friendly, high-performance refrigerated concept trailer called the HT Nitro ThermoTech.

Hyundai’s says the Neptune recognises the Roman god of the seas, symbolising the largest potential source of hydrogen fuel on Earth.

The idea of an electric truck is not new. The Daimler group has launched the Fuso eCanter and revealed the Freightliner eCascadia, which is now undergoing fleet testing in the US.

Other companies have dabbled in hydrogen fuel-cell technology for trucks, with Nikola Motor getting a lot of media attention for its Nikola One concept, and the company suing Tesla for allegedly copying its electric truck design with the Tesla Semi big-rig, which has reportedly attracted 100 pre-orders from Pepsi.

Even famous US truck-maker Kenworth has developed some fuel-cell trucks in collaboration with Toyota. The two giants combined to develop 10 zero-emission Kenworth T680s powered by Toyota hydrogen fuel-cell electric powertrains, but whether they go into production remains unclear.

Whether Hyundai goes ahead with the development of an FCEV truck is also unknown, but it’s now clear the ambitious South Korea-based auto giant – which has released a number of FCEV passenger models including the NEXO SUV -- has the technical ability to do.

“We have cemented the fuel-cell technology leadership positon in the passenger vehicle sector with the world’s first commercially produced fuel-cell EV and the second-generation fuel-cell EV, the NEXO,” said the Head of Commercial Vehicle Business Division at Hyundai Motor Company, Edward Lee.

“With the introduction of HDC-6 Neptune, in addition to the road proven Xcient fuel-cell truck, we expand our technology leadership into the commercial vehicle sector by unveiling our vision of how fuel-cell electric trucks can resolve the environmental equations of widely used commercial vehicles and our commitment to create a decarbonised society,” he added.

In addition to HDC-6 Neptune’s fuel-cell system, unique construction and advanced in-cab technology, its design draws inspiration from the streamliner railway trains of the 1930s with its art deco style.

Hyundai’s current commercial offerings include trucks from Class 2 to Class 8 as well as buses that are manufactured in three plants and currently sold in 130 countries.