A project with eight Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks makes its debut in timber transport, focuses on green hydrogen and makes Uruguay a regional example of low-emission logistics.
Hyundai Motor has announced the entry into service of a fleet of eight XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks in Uruguay, marking the first regular deployment of hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks in South America.
The initiative is part of it Kahirós-projectwhich was set up to make timber logistics in the country more sustainable and accelerate the use of transport solutions without tailpipe emissions.
This move puts Uruguay in a strategic position in the new race for clean fuels for freight transport. The country is seen as a favorable environment for this type of operation, as it generated 99% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2024, according to data from official and industry sources.
In practice, the project includes a complete infrastructure to support the operation. In addition to the trucks, Kahirós includes a 4.8 MW solar park and an electrolysis plant that can produce 77 tons of green hydrogen per year. The start of operations is scheduled for November 2026.
Hyundai said six trucks will form the main fleet, while two others will serve as reserves and support for future expansion. In normal operation, the six main vehicles will together cover almost 1 million kilometers per year, targeting the logistics chain of the forestry and paper sectors.
The total investment in the Kahirós project amounts to US$40 million, with the participation of the Santander Group and support from the International Finance Corporation (World Bank), as well as the United Nations Renewable Energy Innovation Fund. The local consortium consists of Ventus, Fraylog and Fidocar, Hyundai’s distributor in Uruguay.
Technically, the Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell about two 90 kW fuel cell stacks, together producing 180 kW, as well as a 350 kW electric motor, equivalent to 469 hp, with a torque of 2,237 Nm. The truck also carries 68 kg of hydrogen in 10 tanks, uses a 72 kWh battery and can achieve a range of up to 720 km under ideal conditions.
In addition to being a regional first, the operation in Uruguay serves as a real-world test at scale for the use of hydrogen trucks in South America. For Hyundai, the project strengthens its global expansion XCIENT Fuel Cellecosystem, which is already being developed in markets in Europe and North America. For the transport sector in the region, the message is clear: hydrogen is starting to turn from promise into reality on the road.
Source and images: Hyundai Motor. This content was created using AI and reviewed by editors.
