Hyundai made waves in 2013 with its first fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). Since then, the South Korean automaker has introduced the Nexo and invested $6.4 billion into the technology. Today, the company not only announced two exciting concepts – a hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric semi-truck and refrigerated trailer – but it also announced it'd "start exploring opportunities" in the U.S. commercial vehicle market.
Together, the two concepts preview a possible future of transporting goods. The semi-truck, called the Hyundai HDC-6 Neptune, is an evolution of the Class 8 truck into a sleek, technology-packed cargo hauler with a modern design that borrows heavily from the Art Deco designs of streamliner railway trains from the early to middle 20th century. One of the more striking design elements is the large grille needed for maximizing cooling. It stretches around the lower portion of the cab while hiding integrated steps.
Hyundai also showed off a refrigerated trailer that'd be the HDC-6 Neptune's perfect pairing. The HT Nitro ThermoTech concept trailer is designed for transporting cold products, and it uses a cryogenic nitrogen refrigeration technology system that Hyundai claims has a carbon footprint that's 90 percent less than a traditional unit. The cooling system is "virtually noiseless," reducing noise pollution for drivers and during deliveries. The trailer also features a new, enhanced structural design where the side walls, roof, and front wall are made from the same one-piece foam panel. This makes the trailer lighter, stronger, and better insulated.
The two new reveals are about more than Hyundai's FCEV Vision 2030 plan to build at least 500,000 a year FCEVs by 2030. Right now, the technology is still in its infancy with limited availability across the United States. This is a problem facing several hydrogen-powered vehicles currently on the market. However, Hyundai is investing to accelerate hydrogen fuel-cell development and the necessary infrastructure needed. It's an ambitious goal, but one Hyundai fully supports, as evident by its latest FCEV concept.
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