Hyundai Motor and Plus unveiled a shared vision on how their collaboration on autonomous hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks aims to accelerate the development of a hydrogen-powered freight network in the United States.
At the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo 2025 in Anaheim, California, the two companies debuted a video exploring how they believe the collaboration can drive a scalable and cost-effective solution for lower-carbon long-haul freight movement.
The collaboration pairs Hyundai Motor’s hydrogen-powered Xcient Fuel Cell truck with Plus’s AI-based autonomous driving software, SuperDrive.
A Scalable Pathway to Hydrogen Freight
In the concept video, Hyundai Motor and Plus outline a practical framework for deploying autonomous hydrogen fuel cell trucks along high-utilization hub-to-hub routes. The approach focuses on:
- Initial deployment across major freight corridors to build early momentum
- Stimulating demand for strategically placed hydrogen refueling stations
- Expanding infrastructure to support a growing fleet and wider hydrogen use
- Reinforcing scalability, as new routes drive further infrastructure investment and adoption
The video illustrates how this infrastructure can be built out incrementally, with each added delivery route increasing network efficiency and economic viability — benefiting not only autonomous trucks, but also other hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Over time, this blueprint envisions a self-reinforcing cycle of vehicle adoption, infrastructure development, and lower operational costs per unit, according to the companies.
Ken Ramirez, head of Hyundai’s global CV and H2 business, speaks at ACT Expo about the company’s vision of scaling autonomous, hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered long haul freight transport.
Fuel-Cell Technologies for a Sustainable Future
“Hyundai Motor believes in a sustainable future powered by advanced fuel cell technologies,” said Jim Park, Senior Vice President of Commercial Vehicle and Hydrogen Business Development at Hyundai Motor North America.
“We hope to continue our partnership with Plus to add autonomous driving capabilities to Xcient Fuel Cell trucks in the future and provide our fleet operator customers with additional solutions that improve road safety and freight efficiency.
“The concept shared today shows why we value this partnership and the vision for what autonomous hydrogen fuel cell trucks can deliver.”
David Liu, CEO and Co-Founder of Plus: “By combining self-driving and zero-tailpipe emission technologies, we are laying the groundwork for a cleaner, more efficient transportation system that meets the demands of today and the needs of tomorrow.”
Photo: Screen capture from Hyundai-Plus video
David Liu, CEO and Co-Founder of Plus, added: “Autonomous hydrogen fuel cell trucks are a transformative step forward in sustainable freight.
“By combining self-driving and zero-tailpipe emission technologies, we are laying the groundwork for a cleaner, more efficient transportation system that meets the demands of today and the needs of tomorrow.”
Earlier this year, two startups that were making Class 8 hydrogen-fuel-cell trucks, Nikola and Hyzon, closed their doors.
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