Hyundai Motor Company has introduced eight hydrogen fuel cell trucks in Uruguay as part of a long-term plan to reduce emissions in timber transport, H2 View reported.
The heavy-duty Xcient trucks will be used over a 10-year period to carry timber for a leading pulp producer in the country. These vehicles will run on green hydrogen produced locally at a new facility.
The hydrogen plant, being developed in Fray Bentos, is expected to start operations by November 2026. It will produce around 77 tonnes of hydrogen annually using solar power generated at the site. The facility will rely on a 2 MW system to convert water into hydrogen using electricity.
The project has attracted funding support from several institutions, including the Santander Group, the International Finance Corporation, and a United Nations-backed renewable energy fund.
According to Hyundai, this marks the first time its Xcient fuel cell trucks are being deployed in South America. Each truck has a driving range of about 400 km, and the company estimates the fleet will cover nearly one million kilometres during the project period.
The initiative is being carried out by a group of local partners, including logistics firm Fraylog, energy company Ventus, and Fidocar, a distributor of Hyundai’s hydrogen trucks.
The use of hydrogen-powered trucks is gaining attention as countries look for ways to reduce emissions in transport. However, some experts have raised concerns about efficiency, noting that converting electricity into hydrogen and then back into energy results in lower overall output compared to using electricity directly.
Despite this, supporters say hydrogen vehicles can be useful in areas where power infrastructure is limited, offering an alternative path towards cleaner transport.
