Hyundai offers glimpse of hydrogen semi concept

Global automotive company, Hyundai, has provided a teaser of its new HDC-6 Neptune, a fuel cell prime mover ahead of its unveiling at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta next week.

The hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric truck, glimpsed in image rendering recently released, owes a lot to Chrysler Airflow and Art Deco automobiles in its sleek retro design.

At present, Hyundai manufacturers light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles at three international plants.

Its new commercial vehicle the Hyundai Xcient L520 6x4 received a soft launch locally earlier in the year and has been specifically designed with the container market in mind.

The commercial vehicle manufacturer currently sells units into 130 countries around the world.

“We have cemented the fuel cell technology leadership position 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 Edward Lee, head of Hyundai’s commercial vehicle business division.

“With the induction of the 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 equation of widely use commercial vehicles and our commitment to create a decarbonised society.”

Hyundai’s name for its new concept recognises the Roman god of the seas, Neptune, symbolising the hydrogen powered natural elements of the sea.

According to Hyundai, the HDC-6 Neptune will feature advanced in-cab technology.

It is expected to be paired at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show with the HT Nitro ThermoTech, a high performance refrigerated concept trailer solution from Hyundai Translead.

Hyundai Translead manufactures dry and refrigerated trailers as well as flatbeds, chassis, and dollies.