Iveco, Hyundai partner for FCEV light commercials

A PARTNERSHIP between Iveco and Hyundai to develop new energy powertrains for commercial vehicle applications delivered its second technological development this week at IAA Transportation 2022 in Hanover, Germany.

The Iveco Daily van-based eDaily is the partnership’s first, fully functional, fuel cell electric large van and follows the July this year introduction of an Iveco bus with a Hyundai-developed fuel cell system using hydrogen power with expected relevant advantages in terms of performance and emissions.

The Europe and South Korea-based companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March this year to form working groups focused on various technological streams that will complement each other on EV development and alternative propulsion systems.

Both companies have ambitious sustainability goals en-route to net zero emissions targets.

The pair say this is demonstrated individually by their respective commitments in that space and collaboratively in their efforts to accelerate the transition towards net zero carbon.

Iveco says the eDaily Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) represents the future potential of their bestselling and longest production-running large van. The line up currently includes traditional and methane/bio-methane propulsion units and new Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) models.

The working eDaily FCEV prototype is equipped with Hyundai’s 90kW hydrogen fuel cell system and 140kW e-motor. Six tanks offer a combined storage capacity of 12kg of hydrogen.

The 7200kg GVW prototype has been tested in Europe confirming a driving range of 350km, maximum payload of 3000kg and a refuelling time within 15 minutes.

While eDaily BEV, launched alongside the eDaily FCEV at the IAA, is best suited for short journeys, eDaily FCEV will be an ideal option for deliveries where long range with high payload is necessary.

An integral part of the eDaily FCEV is the battery pack by FPT Industrial, the powertrain brand of Iveco Group, while the fuel cell system provided by Hyundai is the latest step in the company’s 20 plus year hydrogen mobility journey.

Hyundai’s advanced fuel cell technology is already in use in various applications, and especially in the commercial vehicle sector.

The system logged over 4.5 million km in Switzerland on heavy duty trucks showing its powerful performance and reliability.

The slogan “Engineered by Iveco Group, powered by Hyundai” reflects this mutually beneficial cooperation and will also be the driver for similar future initiatives.

“Following the recent announcement that Iveco Bus will equip its future hydrogen-powered buses with our fuel cells, the hydrogen-powered eDaily is another concrete example of what we can accomplish by working together in accelerating the transition to carbon neutrality,” said Hyundai Motor Company head of commercial vehicle development Martin Zeilinger.

“The partnership between the two companies has proven to be very successful and we expect greater results in the coming years. On the day we are announcing that our battery-electric eDaily project has come true, we are thrilled to present the first hydrogen-powered eDaily to the world.”

Iveco’s chief technology and digital officer, Marco Liccardo, echoed the sentiment of his South Korean counterpart.

“Based on this prototype, we aim to roll out a small series of FCEV vans for trial with selected customers by the end of next year”, he said.

“This exciting milestone in our sustainability journey is an outcome of the successful collaboration between Iveco Group and Hyundai Motor Company and shows how we can achieve tangible results in a short timeframe by combining our strengths.”

Iveco Group and Hyundai are also examining other collaboration options, ranging from cross-selling products in selected worldwide regions to joint developments in vehicle automation and connectivity.

Further, Hyundai has under consideration sourcing opportunities from FPT Industrial in the area of next generation conventional powertrains for commercial vehicles.