Walmart Canada has taken another step on its journey toward operating a 100% alternatively powered truck fleet with the introduction of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric semi-truck. The Nikola Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV Class 8 tractor, which is already on the roads in Mississauga, Ontario, has a range of approximately 800 kilometers (just under 500 miles) and, on average, can avoid 97 metric tons of CO2 tailpipe emissions annually, according to the manufacturer.
The use of hydrogen fuel allows for longer trips than other electric vehicles (EVs). The trucks carry high-pressure gaseous hydrogen onboard in specialized tanks, which runs through the fuel cell stack and is converted to electricity by combining it with oxygen, producing water vapor as the only byproduct.
“We’re proud to be introducing Walmart Canada’s first hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle as a major milestone on our journey to becoming a regenerative company,” said Gonzalo Gebara, President and CEO of Walmart Canada in a statement. “This is a first for a retailer in Canada and is an example of how we will continue to push forward, embrace new technology and spark change within the industry.”
Walmart Canada, which is in the midst of a five-year, $3.5 billion modernization project of its stores, DCs and supply chain, encouraged consumers to recycle their used blue shopping bags in April 2024.
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