Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor) and autonomous driving software leader Plus today unveiled the first Level 4 autonomous Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric truck in the U.S. at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, North America’s largest advanced clean transportation technology and fleet event.
As a result of the collaboration between Hyundai Motor and Plus, the XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, equipped with Plus’s SuperDrive™ Level 4 autonomous driving technology, is showcased at the Plus ACT Expo booth (#2044).
The Level 4 autonomous XCIENT Fuel Cell truck is currently undergoing initial autonomous driving assessments in the U.S., marking the first-ever Level 4 self-driving test on a Class 8 fuel cell electric truck in the country. This collaboration aims to demonstrate that autonomous hydrogen fuel cell trucks can enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in the trucking industry.
“We are excited to showcase our collaboration with Plus to test Level 4 autonomous driving technology with our Class 8 XCIENT Fuel Cell truck,” said Martin Zeilinger, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Development at Hyundai. “Hyundai Motor has been leading the energy transition with our advanced fuel cell technologies. By integrating autonomous capabilities into our mass-produced hydrogen-powered XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, Hyundai aims to provide fleets and vehicle operators with solutions that enhance road safety and freight efficiency, thanks to Plus’s industry-leading autonomous driving technology.”
First introduced in 2020, Hyundai Motor’s XCIENT Fuel Cell truck has been successfully used in commercial operations across eight countries, establishing a strong track record of real-world application and technological reliability.
At last year’s ACT Expo, Hyundai introduced the XCIENT Fuel Cell tractor, a commercialized Class 8 6×4 fuel cell electric model. Powered by two 90kW hydrogen fuel cell systems and a 350kW e-motor, it provides a driving range of over 450 miles per charge, even when fully loaded.
Plus’s SuperDrive™ solution, deployed across the U.S., Europe, and Australia, utilizes advanced sensors including LiDAR, radar, and cameras to offer comprehensive surround perception, planning, prediction, and self-driving capabilities.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Hyundai Motor Company on this important initiative to create more sustainable and safe transportation options. Plus is proud to support a decarbonized future with autonomous hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks that also improve safety and efficiency,” said Shawn Kerrigan, COO and Co-Founder at Plus.
Hyundai Motor and Plus have released a video highlighting their collaboration, which can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d19h_v7abo.
