The very first Hyundai XCIENT hydrogen trucks in South America
The company joins the Kahirós Project to develop green hydrogen infrastructure and contribute to decarbonizing timber logistics in Uruguay. The so-called Kahirós Project is designed to decarbonize timber logistics in Uruguay by using green hydrogen produced from renewable sources in hydrogen fuel cell trucks for transportation.
Hyundai Motor launches South America’s first XCIENT Fuel Cell Class-8 heavy-duty truck fleet. The company joins the Kahirós Project to develop green hydrogen infrastructure and contribute to decarbonizing timber logistics in Uruguay. As pointed out by Hyundai Motor, the project is backed by investment from Santander Group, with support from the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank and the United Nations’ Renewable Energy Innovation Fund.
More into details, the so-called Kahirós Project is designed to decarbonize timber logistics in Uruguay by using green hydrogen produced from renewable sources in hydrogen fuel cell trucks for transportation. Uruguay has embraced renewable energy, resulting in the country generating 99 percent of its electricity from renewable sources in 2024, according to Uruguay’s Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining.
Hyundai XCIENT hydrogen trucks in Uruguay
Indeed, Uruguay is the first country in South America to adopt hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks for regular operations, paving the way for local hydrogen production and refueling infrastructure. “At Hyundai, we are committed to creating sustainable transportation solutions. Our Hyundai XCIENT trucks with hydrogen fuel cells supporting the Kahirós Project produce no tailpipe emissions and offer a lower-carbon alternative to traditional freight logistics methods. We will help decarbonize a critical part of the paper production value chain and demonstrate to the world that we can take action for a better future starting now”, stated Airton Cousseau, President & CEO of Hyundai Motor Brazil and Hyundai Motor Central and South America Region.
“It is meaningful that Hyundai expands its global leadership in clean mobility toward South America with its advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology in addition to its proven applications in North America and Europe. At Hyundai, we aim to contribute to building a sustainable and safe freight ecosystem through hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles. Our partnership with Kahirós Associates has strengthened our devotion to innovation and commitment to sustainability as we share a vision for the future”, added Chul Youn Park, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Commercial Vehicle and Light Commercial Vehicle Business Division at Hyundai Motor Company.
