As part of a partnership between Israeli agency, Colmobil, hydrogen producer Baznan, and refuelling station operator, Sonol to form a hydrogen value chain in Israel, the three trucks will be handed over to the companies with a view for them to enter commercial operations in 2023.
Hyundai has said the ‘first’ vehicle to be used for commercial operations in the Middle East will be a 4×2 XCIENT fuel cell truck, delivered to Colmobil, with plans for it be used in daily operations ranging around 330km (205 miles).
The deal comes as part of the vehicle manufacturer’s plans to accelerate the establishment of a hydrogen value chain in Israel, aligning with the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), updated in 2021, which looks to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 27% by 2030, and 85% by 2050, compared to 2015 levels.
“We are thrilled to support the Israel government’s strong commitment to build a sustainable future with our hydrogen-powered, heavy-duty XCIENT Fuel Cell truck,” said Mark Freymueller, Senior Vice-President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Business Innovation at Hyundai Motor Company.
“Establishing the first hydrogen infrastructure in Israel in close collaboration with the country’s key players marks a significant milestone in our efforts to build a sustainable hydrogen value chain around the world. We are confident that our fuel cell trucks will substantially contribute to the acceleration of the energy transition in Israel.”
The deal in the Middle East follows on from the company announcing in October (2022), that its fleet of 47 XCIENT trucks, deployed in Switzerland had accumulated more than five million km in two years.
Read more: Hyundai XCIENT fuel cell trucks ‘to expand throughout Europe’
A Successful Ecosystem for Green Hydrogen – Iceland
It is becoming ever clearer that the entire green hydrogen ecosystem requires alignment. Hydrogen’s potential, performance, and safety are proven. Green hydrogen is widely accepted as a core pathway to Net Zero, yet the key levers in the transition are not yet in-sync.
For these reasons, H2 View is launching An Ecosystem for Green Hydrogen, a two and a half day summit in Reykjavík, Iceland on February 28 to March 2, 2023, devoted to thought leadership, insights, and actionable takeaways for the green hydrogen ecosystem.
In a world full of distractions and technical overload, we need inspiring places to refresh our minds and bodies. The power of Iceland lies in its nature, culture, and energy. These elements serve as the perfect backdrop for a memorable and effective event at the world renowned Harpa Centre.
The summit promises to tackle all sides of the energy ecosystem, from wind and solar power requirements, through to additionality, water sustainability, electrolyser technologies, and the investment and policy climate. The 2.5 day event is split over six sessions, delegates will hear from speakers representing all strands of the hydrogen value chain in a bid to unravel key issues in the industry, and where it can make some headway.
You can find more information at h2-viewevents.com.