Hydrogen-powered trucks mark Oakland milestone

NorCAL ZERO is a US$53 million collaborative effort to deploy 30 Hyundai XCIENT Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks (FCETs) in Northern California.

“The Port of Oakland is pleased to be a part of this innovative, clean energy project that puts Oakland at the forefront of addressing global climate change,” said Danny Wan, executive director, Port of Oakland.

“This hydrogen fuel station and these fuel cell trucks represent a strong option for the future of trucking in California. They also support our efforts toward a zero emissions seaport.”

Clean energy

The trucks, which have a range of more than 400 miles on a single fill of hydrogen, primarily operate in drayage service hauling freight and cars to destinations in the Bay Area and the Central Valley.

NorCAL ZERO introduces the Hyundai XCIENT Class 8 FCET into the U.S. market. Hyundai Motor Company designed and manufactured the vehicles, which are operated by G.E.T. Freight, a division of Glovis America, hauling Port of Oakland containers and Port of Richmond vehicles.

The trucks refuel at the recently opened, high-capacity and high-throughput liquid hydrogen fueling station built and operated by FirstElement Fuel. The hydrogen station has a storage capacity of 18,000 kg, which will support more than 200 trucks a day.

Papé Trucks maintains the trucks at its San Leandro facility, where technicians receive in-depth training from Hyundai on how to service the trucks.

With engineering and design support from the Fiedler Group, Papé Trucks also upgraded its maintenance facility with hydrogen detection and ventilation equipment to safely service the trucks.