Nam Hyun-woo has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2013, mostly covering business and politics. He currently belongs to the Business Desk where he covers topics such as emerging tech, AI, ICT and Korea's chaebol community. Prior to joining the team, he was the paper's correspondent for the presidential office of Korea during the Yoon Suk Yeol and Moon Jae-in administrations.
Hyundai's hydrogen truck recognized in TIME's best inventions list for 2025
The Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Class 8 heavy-duty truck / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
By Nam Hyun-woo
The Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Class 8 heavy-duty truck was named one of the Best Inventions of 2025 by TIME magazine in recognition of its sustainable mobility and autonomous driving capabilities, the carmaker said Friday.
For the past 25 years, the magazine has published its annual best inventions list to highlight the most impactful innovations that shape the way we live. This year’s selection includes 300 solutions from sectors such as consumer electronics, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and more.
The award-winning truck was developed by Hyundai Motor and PlusAI, a U.S. autonomous driving software firm. The truck integrates Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel cell truck platform with PlusAI’s Level 4 autonomous SuperDrive virtual driver. Level 4 self-driving allows a vehicle to drive itself within specific areas and conditions, with no need for driver intervention.
This combination offers the benefits of hydrogen-powered long-haul freight, including zero tailpipe emissions and fast refueling, while enhancing logistics efficiency through autonomous driving.
“This recognition by TIME is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration,” Hyundai Motor Senior Vice President and Head of Global Commercial Vehicle Park Chul-youn said. “At Hyundai, we aim to contribute to building a sustainable and safe freight ecosystem through hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles. We deeply value our partnership with PlusAI, which has been instrumental in realizing this shared vision.”
The Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Class 8 truck is the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty truck, equipped with a 350-kilowatt motor, two 90-kilowatt fuel cell stacks and a 72-kilowatt-hour battery, offering powerful performance and efficiency.
Since its launch in 2020, the truck has been sold in major markets including Korea, the United States, Switzerland and Germany. In the U.S., it has been deployed at major logistics hubs such as Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia and the NorCAL ZERO Project in California, demonstrating its commercial viability.