Walmart has reportedly introduced its first hydrogen fuel cell-powered Nikola Tre semi-truck, marking a major milestone in the retail industry’s transition to alternative fuel vehicles. Hydrogen technology is a potential competitor to EV trucks, which suffer from the drawbacks of heavy batteries.
Electrek Reports Walmart Canada has introduced the first hydrogen fuel cell electric semi-truck to its vehicle fleet, making it the first major North American retail chain to adopt this cutting-edge technology for its transportation operations.
The introduction of the Nikola Tre hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (HFCEV) is part of Walmart Canada’s ambitious plan to transition to a 100% alternative fuel fleet. The initiative aligns with the company’s broader goal of transforming into a regenerative business, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices across its operations.
Gonzalo Guevara, President and CEO of Walmart Canada, expressed pride in the achievement, saying, “We are proud to introduce Walmart Canada’s first hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle as a major milestone in our journey to become a regenerative company. This is a first for a Canadian retailer and an example of how we continue to move forward, embrace new technology and drive change in our industry.”
The Nikola HFCEV is a Class 8 tractor with impressive specifications: a range of nearly 800 kilometers (over 400 miles) on a single tank of fuel and a Gross Weight Rating (GCWR) of 82,000,000. Compared to traditional heavy-duty trucks, the Nikola HFCEV prevents approximately 100 tons of tailpipe CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere each year.
Walmart Canada’s decision to adopt hydrogen fuel cell technology comes at a time when many retailers are exploring different options to decarbonize their trucking fleets. Reuters reported. Some companies, including Walmart and Pepsi, have reportedly grown frustrated with delays to deliveries of Tesla’s electric semi-trucks and are turning to alternative manufacturers.
Michael Beech, senior director of national fleet at Walmart Canada, highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability in its fleet operations. He said, “Walmart Canada has ambitious plans to run 100% of its fleet on alternative electricity. We’re proud to be the first retailer in Canada to introduce hydrogen fuel cell semi-trucks to our fleet, a major milestone towards reaching this goal. As we strive to make our daily fleet operations more sustainable, embracing new types of alternative power will help us go faster and further.”
Nikola’s introduction of hydrogen-fueled trucks appears to be garnering attention among fleet buyers. One attractive aspect of the technology is the fast turnaround time, with refueling often touted as being completed in just five minutes. However, it’s important to note that this claim doesn’t necessarily reflect real-world conditions and should be viewed with skepticism.
Click here for details It’s Electrek.
Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering free speech and online censorship.
