California Launches $53M Hydrogen Truck Project
SAN FRANCISCO — The state of California has launched a $53 million project aimed at deploying 30 heavy-duty hydrogen-powered trucks to haul shipping containers between terminals at the ports of Oakland and Richmond on San Francisco Bay.
In announcing the start of the program, known as the NorCal Zero project, last month, state and port officials said they hoped it was the beginning of a new era of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the Bay Area.
Oakland City Councilmember-at-Large Rebecca Kaplan said the project was “particularly significant for residents” of her city “who have historically suffered from disproportionate environmental burdens due to heavy industry, freeways and diesel trucks.”
The trucks, built by Hyundai, are Class 8 XCIENT fuel cell electric trucks, which will be operated by GET Freight, a subsidiary of Glovis America.
Their operation will be supported by a new commercial refueling station in West Oakland operated by FirstElement Fuel.
“The NorCAL Zero project in Oakland marks a significant step forward in realizing Hyundai’s vision for a global hydrogen society,” said Ken Ramirez, executive vice president and head of Global Commercial Vehicle and Hydrogen Business at Hyundai Motor Company, in a written statement.
“The project demonstrates how the transport energy transition is achievable today and will serve as one of the building blocks for Hyundai’s port decarbonization initiatives worldwide,” Ramirez added.
It is predicted that each truck will have a range of over 450 miles on a single hydrogen fill and that the refueling station will ultimately offer liquid hydrogen capacity for up to 200 trucks per day.
“Moving freight transportation towards zero-emissions is key to California’ clean air and climate goals, and landmark projects such as NorCal Zero put the technology and infrastructure in place to make a healthier future a reality,” said Liane Randolph, chair of the California Air Resources Board.
The board, along with the California Energy Commission, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the Alameda County Transport Commission provided $28.88 million to launch the project, while the project partners invested an additional $24 million.
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