The east-bound carriageway of the M8 was blocked after the vehicles collided and burst into flames.
Fire crews were called to the scene, around one mile east of Harthill, at around 1.20am today.
They found both vehicles on fire and used breathing masks and high pressure hoses to put out the blaze.
The male car driver was killed, while the 30-year-old male driver of the HGV was taken by ambulance to nearby St Johns hospital suffering from shock.
The east bound carriageway was closed for several hours whilst collision investigation was conducted but a single lane was later opened to allow traffic past.
A police spokesman said: “We are investigating the circumstances that resulted in this collision and would encourage any motorists who were on the road at the time to contact police immediately, “Similarly, anyone with any other information that can assist police with their enquiries are also asked to come forward.”
