Walmart Canada has announced the deployment of its new hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric semi-truck on public roads in Mississauga, Ontario.
The first retailer in Canada to introduce a hydrogen fuel cell electric semi-truck to its fleet, Walmart Canada aims to replace its entire fleet with 100% alternatively-powered vehicles in the coming years.
Developed by heavy-duty vehicle manufacturer Nikola; the Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV Class 8 tractor operates with zero tailpipe emissions, touting a range of roughly 800 kilometres.
Gonzalo Gebara, President and CEO, Walmart Canada, said: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.
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.
The Nikola truck operates through the use of specialised tanks filled with high-pressure gaseous hydrogen, which is run through an onboard fuel cell stack and converted to electricity via a combination with oxygen. The resulting power is then transferred to the vehicle’s high-voltage power-net, which in turn charges the on-board batteries and allows the transferring of power to the pavement via a proprietary e-axle.
