Hyundai deploys eight XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks for Kahirós hydrogen project in Uruguay

Hyundai Motor Company has deployed eight XCIENT Fuel Cell Class 8 heavy-duty trucks in Uruguay as part of the Kahirós project, marking the first regular operation of a large-scale hydrogen-powered cargo transport fleet in South America. The Kahirós initiative, developed by Uruguayan firms Ventus, Fraylog, and Fidocar, aims to decarbonize forestry logistics by replacing diesel with locally produced green hydrogen. The project includes the construction of a 4.8 MW solar park and an electrolysis plant capable of producing 77 tons of green hydrogen annually, with operations slated to begin by the end of 2026. The total investment for the project is $40 million, funded by Grupo Santander, with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) providing a $20 million loan, the first of its kind for the IFC. Six of the Hyundai trucks will form the main fleet, covering approximately one million kilometers annually, while two will serve as backups and for future service expansion.

Counterparts (7)

Developer

K

Kahirós

company

V

Ventus

company

F

Fidocar

company

F

Fraylog

company

supplier

Hyundai Motor Company

company

South Korean multinational automotive manufacturer with significant investments and operations in infrastructure through its subsidiaries, particularly in construction, rail, and energy solutions.

Lender

C

Corporación Financiera Internacional (IFC)

company

Investor

Grupo Santander

company

Global retail banking group with operations in Europe and the Americas, serving 180 million customers. Focuses on financial services, with a presence in digital services, asset management, and consumer finance.