A Walmart truck pulls out of a Walmart Distribution Center in Hurricane, Utah on May 30, 2024. GEORGE FREY/AFP via Getty Images
Walmart Canada is making significant progress in transitioning to a fully alternative fuel fleet, as it recently introduced its inaugural hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle, the Nikola Tre.
Walmart Canada Leads the Way in Sustainable Transportation Initiatives
According to Nikola, Walmart Canada has made history by being the first major retail chain in North America to incorporate a hydrogen fuel cell electric semi truck into its fleet with the deployment of this vehicle.
In June 2022, Walmart announced its plans to expand transportation pilots with manufacturers of alternative fuel vehicles. This initiative is in line with Walmart’s goal to achieve zero emissions across its global operations by 2040, which includes its large fleet of tractors and trailers.
In May, Nikola reported the delivery of 75 hydrogen fuel cell trucks during the first two quarters of production. Additionally, they successfully completed the delivery of their reworked battery truck by the end of the first quarter, Reuters reported.
Gonzalo Gebara, president and CEO of Walmart Canada, said the introduction of Walmart Canada’s first hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle is a significant achievement in their mission to become a regenerative company.
Advancing Sustainability in Commercial Transportation
According to Electrek, the Nikola HFCEV is a Class 8 tractor that boasts an impressive range of approximately 800 kilometers (over 400 miles) “per tank.”
With an 82,000,000 GCWR, this vehicle has the potential to make a significant impact on reducing CO2 emissions. By avoiding the release of nearly 100 metric tons of CO2 tailpipe emissions into the air each year, the electrification of the commercial truck sector becomes even more crucial.
In April, retailers such as Walmart and Pepsi expressed their frustration with the extended wait times and ongoing delays for Tesla’s electric semi trucks.
As they sought to transition their trucking fleets to more sustainable options, they began exploring alternatives from competing electric-truck manufacturers.
Walmart Canada has set a bold goal of completely transitioning our fleet to alternative power sources.
Michael Buna, senior director of national fleet at Walmart Canada, expressed pride in the company’s achievement of being the first retailer in Canada to add a hydrogen fuel cell semi-truck to their fleet. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in their pursuit of their goals.