In order to power and test Hyundai Motor’s XCIENT heavy-duty fuel cell trucks in California, FirstElement Fuel, and Hyundai Motor Company entered the partnership.
In order to run three prototype XCIENT fuel cells at full pressure of 700 bar, FirstElement Fuel is using its network of True Zero hydrogen filling stations. Also, FirstElement Fuel is utilizing its first high-capacity mobile tanker, which was created in cooperation with Taylor-Wharton, Nikkiso, and FirstElement Fuel.
The mobile tanker is also being utilized to support pilot programs for numerous other FCEV heavy vehicle OEMs. It has a high refueling capacity of 125 kilos per hour. Joel Ewanick, president, and chief executive officer of FirstElement Fuel, said, “This program has helped FirstElement understand what we need to do to establish high-volume hydrogen refueling infrastructure for heavy-duty fuel cell trucks, and we are now ready. We firmly believe that fuel cell technology will eventually satisfy all of the requirements of the zero-emission transportation and logistics sector thanks to our relationship with Hyundai.
Three Hyundai Motor XCIENT fuel cell trucks operated by FirstElement Fuel’s approved Class A drivers have traveled more than 40,000 kilometers without emitting any emissions. As part of this effort, FirstElement has finished refilling more than 120 XCIENT fuel cell trucks with hydrogen. The greatest network of hydrogen stations in the world is provided by FirstElement, and these stations use liquid hydrogen instead of gaseous hydrogen, making them unique. Liquid hydrogen is considerably more effectively distributed and stored, enabling the efficient operation of Class 8 fuel cell electric trucks.
In Oakland, California, later this year, FirstElement Fuel and Hyundai Motor will roll out the largest commercial fleet of Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell trucks. The California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) jointly funded the NorCAL ZERO project, which is overseen by the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE). The NorCal ZERO project’s design decisions are influenced by the hydrogen refueling partnership between FirstElement Fuel and Hyundai Motor since it offers useful information and insights. The alliance with Hyundai Motor is seen by FirstElement Fuel as progress toward the overall objective of promoting hydrogen as a fossil fuel alternative.
