Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), in cooperation with Glovis America, recently deployed Hyundai Xcient heavy-duty hydrogen fuel-cell electric trucks for clean logistics operations.
Initially, a total of 21 Xcient trucks will be in operation, the company reported.
“At HMGMA, we are committed to creating sustainable transportation solutions,” HMGMA CEO Oscar Kwon said in a news release. “Our Hyundai Xcient hydrogen fuel-cell trucks that support the plant release zero emissions and offer a cleaner alternative to the traditional freight logistics methods used at other manufacturing facilities.”
The initiative represents a significant step forward in HMGMA’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices in daily operations. The Xcient hydrogen fuel-cell Class 8 tractors will transport vehicle parts from HMGMA suppliers across the region to the mega-site daily. During the initial rollout, Xcient trucks will transport parts between suppliers and the on-site consolidation center, and later these logistics will expand to a broader network of suppliers, the company added.
The 21 Xcient vehicles will represent more than a third of the Glovis America truck fleet at HMGMA.
Earlier this year at CES, Hyundai also revealed its new hydrogen value chain business brand, HTWO, which encompasses the group’s businesses and affiliates, enabling each stage of the entire hydrogen value chain, from production and storage to transportation and utilization.
HTWO Logistics, a joint venture between Hyundai and Glovis America, also plans to install a mobile hydrogen refueling station at the mega-site for efficient refueling.
“HMGMA’s deployment of Xcient for logistics and operations is one of the main initiatives of HTWO,” said Jim Park, Hyundai Motor North America SVP for commercial vehicle and hydrogen business development. “This is delivering on our strategy and vision to showcase a closed-loop hydrogen logistics ecosystem and improve the environmental sustainability of manufacturing operations.”