The Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., announced a $2.3 million investment in the AZETEC (Alberta Zero-Emissions Truck Electrification Collaboration) project.
The project will validate the design, manufacture, and operation of long-range fuel cell electric trucks for operation between Calgary and Edmonton, led by the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) in collaboration with project partners Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation, Zen Clean Energy Solutions, Canadian Energy Systems Analysis Research, Bison Transport, Trimac Transportation, and Suncor Energy.
Natural Resources Canada’s Green Infrastructure – Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstration Program provided funding for AZETEC, with the goal of accelerating the market entry of next-generation clean energy technologies. The AZETEC project also received funding from Emissions Reduction Alberta, Ballard Power Systems, and Dana Inc., bringing the total funding to $9.2 million.
The AZETEC project addresses barriers to fuel cell electric truck adoption by installing and testing a hydrogen fueling station for highway heavy-duty commercial fleet vehicles under real-world conditions, such as the ability to refuel in 20–45 minutes and in climates ranging from -40°C to +40°C.
The AZETEC project is leading the way toward decarbonizing the heavy-duty freight transportation sector by installing and testing cutting-edge technologies to support hydrogen heavy-duty trucks and hydrogen infrastructure. Switching to hydrogen as a fuel is also an important early opportunity identified in Canada’s Hydrogen Strategy.
The announcement made today adds to recent global efforts to reduce emissions in the freight sector. Canada joined seven other countries in establishing a global agreement to accelerate the manufacturing and adoption of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles as a co-lead of the Electric Vehicle Initiative under the Clean Energy Ministerial.
The government is supporting innovative energy initiatives that will reduce emissions, create healthier and cleaner communities, and create economic development opportunities.
