When it comes to the future of transportation, not everyone is convinced that autonomous vehicles will ever gain widespread acceptance and regulatory approval, while others question the merits of automakers pursuing hydrogen fuel-cell technology when battery-electric already has such momentum.

Hyundai has delivered a stiff rebuttal to naysayers in both camps with its recent demonstration of a hydrogen fuel-cell truck equipped with Level 4 autonomous driving software.

The Korean car and truck maker unveiled what it described as the first Level 4 autonomous Class 8 (heavy-duty) hydrogen fuel-cell electric truck, built in collaboration with autonomous driving software leader Plus.

The company’s XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, equipped with Plus’s Level 4 autonomous driving software, was demonstrated at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in North America during May.

The Level 4 autonomous XCIENT Fuel Cell truck is undergoing initial autonomous driving assessments in the US, making it the first-ever Level 4 self-driving test on a Class 8 fuel cell electric truck in that country.

Hyundai says its XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, which it first introduced in 2020, has conducted commercial operations in eight countries worldwide, establishing a successful track record of real-world applications and technological reliability.

At last year’s ACT Expo, Hyundai introduced the XCIENT Fuel Cell tractor, or prime mover.

Claimed range of more than 700km

The commercialised fuel cell electric model is powered by two 90kW hydrogen fuel cell systems and a 350kW e-motor, providing a claimed driving range of over 724km per charge even when fully loaded.

Hyundai Motor said its collaboration with Plus aims to enhance road safety and freight efficiencies by demonstrating the benefits of the two advanced technologies, to help make trucking safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.

Plus, which describes itself as a global Silicon Valley-based autonomous driving software supplier, says it is “working with Tier 1 suppliers, vehicle manufacturers, and transportation operators around the world to bring our SAE Level 4 fully autonomous solution to market”.

Australian toll road operator Transurban announced in 2023 that it was working with Plus to explore how the company’s Level 4 autonomous driving technology, combined with smart road infrastructure, could help make trucking safer, more efficient and more sustainable in Australia.

Plus says its Level 4 autonomous driving technology uses a combination of cutting-edge sensors, including LiDAR, radar and cameras, to provide surround perception, planning, prediction and self-driving capabilities.

A vehicle’s degree of autonomous driving capability is rated on a five-step scale, ranking from Level 0, meaning no driving automation whatsoever, to L5 meaning the car automatically performs all driving tasks without the need for any human driver intervention.

Truck has high-level autonomous capabilities

Level 4 autonomous driving. such as that displayed on the XCIENT Fuel Cell truck. means the vehicle can handle most driving situations independently, including highly complex urban driving conditions, although a human driver must still be present and able to take control if necessary.

Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Development at Hyundai, Martin Zeilinger, said the company has been driving the energy transition paradigm with its advanced fuel cell technologies.

“By adding autonomous capabilities to our world’s first mass-produced hydrogen-powered XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, Hyundai is looking forward to providing fleets and vehicle operators additional solutions that enhance road safety and freight efficiencies thanks to Plus’s industry-leading autonomous driving technology,” Mr Zeilinger said.

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