SUSTAINABLE HEAVY-DUTY INITIATIVES FOR FUTURE TECHNOLOGY

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Project

NorCal Zero-Emission Regional and Drayage Operations with Fuel Cell Electric Trucks

Led by the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), the project team deployed 30 fuel cell electric Class 8 trucks and built a hydrogen fueling station at the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) treatment plant near the Port of Oakland. The project aimed to advance zero-emission technology by launching a commercial fleet in Northern California and constructing a 700-bar hydrogen refueling station to support it. The trucks and station will operate for six years, eliminating 100% of greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions from vehicle operations. The project is also expected to deliver public health and economic benefits to the West Oakland community through cleaner air and local investment.

Vehicles/Equipment Funded:

  • Thirty (30) Class 8 fuel cell electric trucks (FCET) were designed and manufactured by Hyundai Motor Company.
  • A hydrogen fueling station capable of supporting the FCET fleet was funded by the California Energy Commission as part of a joint venture.
  • Combustible gas detection and alarm equipment brought Papé’s service facility into compliance for hydrogen system maintenance.

Lessons Learned:

The project reaffirmed the value of having a strong ecosystem of experienced partners when deploying hydrogen technology, strategically timing infrastructure commissioning and vehicle deployments, conducting robust training, securing dedicated maintenance and support partners for specialized vehicles and equipment, and engaging extensively with impacted communities.

Status Updates:

  • All thirty FCETs are in operation throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley.
  • The hydrogen fueling station is open 24/7 for heavy-duty and light-duty fueling.
  • The fleet is estimated to have avoided 927 metric tons of GHGs from June 2023 to February 2024.

Technology:


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Infrastructure Status:

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Project Facts​

  • DATES: Fall 2021 – Fall 2025
  • GRANTEE: The Center for Transportation and the Environment
  • PARTNERS: Hyundai Motor Company, FirstElement Fuel, Glovis America, University of California Berkeley, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Papé Group, Fiedler Group, West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project
  • GRANT NO.: G19-DRAY-02

Grant Amount​

  • CARB Contribution: $11,979,914
  • CARB Match: $29,203,821
  • PROJECT TOTAL: $41,183,735

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