Hydra Energy, the world’s first hydrogen-as-a-service provider, has announced the delivery of the world’s first hydrogen-converted heavy-duty truck to a paying fleet customer.
This follows three years of successful on-road testing of the company’s hydrogen-diesel co-combustion injection system, which showed no loss in fuel efficiency, range, power, torque, or payload capacity, as well as a carbon emissions reduction of up to 40% per converted vehicle.
Lodgewood Enterprises, a full-service short- and long-haul trucking company based in Prince George, British Columbia, has received the first of 12 semi-trucks that will be converted at no cost to Lodgewood using Hydra’s completely reversible hydrogen-diesel conversion kit. Hydra has received low-carbon hydrogen from Canadian industrial chemical provider Chemtrade at a fixed price below the cost of diesel for the clean trucks.
“As a fleet owner, it was a simple decision to embrace Hydra’s low-risk co-combustion technology and start cutting emissions right away without compromising truck performance, warranty, or driver experience,” said Lodgewood President Arlene Gagne. “Our transformed fleet will help us attract a fresh, younger generation of environmentally conscious drivers by reducing CO2 emissions by almost 800 tonnes each year. In the process, we’ve reduced our fuel costs. We’re thrilled to have one of the first hydrogen-powered trucks on the road, and we’re looking forward to working with Hydra in the future.”
“This first truck delivery is a watershed moment for Hydra, as well as clean trucking in general and Canada’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Despite the fact that heavy-duty trucks accounts for only 1.37 percent of all cars on the road, it accounts for 30% of all road-related accidents “ated emissions,” said Jessica Verhagen, CEO of Hydra Energy. “Hydrogen-fueled transportation is frequently mentioned as a possibility in the future, particularly for truck fleets that can take years to turn over. We’ve demonstrated that scalable, inexpensive hydrogen-powered transportation is a reality today thanks to our novel HaaS business model and realistic conversion solution for existing trucks.”
Hydra’s HaaS model combines existing low-carbon hydrogen supply and demand in a way that ensures rapid off-takers for chemical firms’ by-product hydrogen and long-term fuel contracts at diesel-equivalent (or lower) rates for commercial fleet operators. Due to Hydra’s arrangement with Chemtrade in the region, trucking companies based in Prince George will receive a preferential rate. Hydra pays for and installs completely reversible hydrogen-diesel co-combustion conversion kits in commercial fleet trucks and the required fuelling stations, lowering fleet customers’ risk and investment. Hydra completed a successful three-year pilot test program in Prince George, covering over 200,000 miles on commercial roads with commercial drivers fighting the frigid temperatures and mountainous climbs the region is known for, reducing risk even further.
Verhagen adds, “Due to their location in B.C., return-to-base routes, and readiness to adopt new technology, Lodgewood is a perfect initial customer. They also benefit from the BC Trucking Association’s CleanBC Heavy-Duty Vehicle Efficiency Program Incentives and the province of British Columbia’s extension of hydrogen-powered vehicle weight allowances by 1,000 kg, allowing fleets to install hydrogen tanks without losing payload. We’re excited to deliver their next hydrogen-converted trucks and collaborate with additional commodity transporters who want to make the move to clean trucking as soon as possible.”
