Australia’s first hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck is officially going to work, marking a significant moment for the local freight sector. Hyundai’s XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck has been handed over to Coregas, which will put the vehicle into daily operations transporting industrial gases.
From showcase to service
The XCIENT turned heads at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, but now it’s shifting from display halls to the road. Coregas’ decision to deploy the truck moves hydrogen haulage from the trial phase into live operations, where reliability, efficiency, and safety matter most.
Coregas is well placed to make the transition. In 2023, it opened Australia’s first dedicated hydrogen refuelling station for heavy vehicles at Port Kembla. That experience means it can operate the XCIENT with the infrastructure already in place, while also providing valuable insights for fleets that are still weighing up their decarbonisation options.
Specs designed for freight
Hyundai’s hydrogen prime mover has been built to perform like a diesel truck without the emissions. Key features include a 31 kg hydrogen tank capacity, 180 kW fuel cell output, and an estimated driving range of up to 400 km. Importantly, refuelling can be completed in as little as eight minutes, minimising downtime compared with battery-electric charging.
For fleet operators, those numbers point to a truck capable of handling regular freight routes while maintaining operational efficiency.
A test case for the sector
By putting the XCIENT into service, Coregas is effectively running Australia’s first hydrogen fleet trial at scale. The outcomes will be closely observed by other operators, industry bodies, and government agencies looking to shape policy and investment in zero-emission freight.
Both Hyundai and Coregas have positioned the partnership as more than just a vehicle delivery. They see it as proof that hydrogen trucks can be commercially viable in Australian conditions, where long distances and heavy loads are part of daily logistics.
The bigger picture
Decarbonising road freight is one of the hardest challenges in the transition to Net Zero. Battery-electric trucks are beginning to find their place in urban distribution, but for long-haul and high-weight tasks, hydrogen could fill an important gap.
With Coregas and Hyundai taking the first steps, the local industry now has a live case study to learn from. If the truck proves itself in Coregas’ demanding operations, it could pave the way for broader adoption — and give fleet managers another pathway to cut emissions while maintaining productivity.
