Kahirós Project drives decarbonization of transport with fuel cell technology and green hydrogen
Hyundai announced a fleet of eight XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks in Uruguay, marking the first commercial operation of hydrogen-powered extra-heavy vehicles in South America. The initiative is a pioneer in the issue of zero-emission mobility.
The operation is part of the Kahirós Project, an initiative aimed at decarbonizing wood logistics in the country through the use of green hydrogen, produced from renewable sources. The project seeks to establish a cleaner and more efficient logistics chain, in line with global sustainability goals. The consortium responsible brings together Fidocar, Fraylog and Ventus, with investment from the Santander Group.
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The project foresees the construction of a 4.8 MW solar park and a plant capable of producing 77 tons of hydrogen per year. Operations begin in November 2026, with six trucks running about 1 million kilometers annually, in addition to two support units. Uruguay is the ideal country for this expansion, as it generates about 99% of its electricity from renewable sources.
The XCIENT Fuel Cell truck is equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system with a total output of 180 kW, combining two 90 kW stacks. Its electric motor delivers 350 kW (469 hp) and torque of 2,237 Nm, ensuring high performance for logistics operations.
The model has the capacity to store up to 68 kg of hydrogen in ten tanks, complemented by 72 kWh batteries, which allows it to reach up to 720 kilometers of autonomy in ideal conditions. In Class 8 tractor configuration, the vehicle supports a Total Combined Gross Weight of up to 37.2 tonnes.
The initiative reinforces Hyundai’s global strategy in hydrogen, already consolidated in North America and Europe, where the fleet exceeds millions of kilometers driven.
