The retail giant is operating a Nikola hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 8 tractor as part of its zero-emission fleet transition

Walmart is diversifying its electric fleet portfolio with the addition of a new hydrogen semi truck.

The vehicle, a Nikola Class 8 tractor, is part of Walmart’s Ontario fleet and is running out of Mississauga. It has a range of 800 kilometres and will avoid up to 97 metric tons of CO2 tailpipe emissions.

“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 press release.

“This…is an example of how we will continue to push forward, embrace new technology and spark change within the industry.” 

Hydrogen truck functionality

Walmart anticipates deploying its hydrogen truck on long-haul delivery routes around Ontario.

“Walmart Canada has an ambitious plan to power 100 [per cent] of our fleet with alternative power,” said Michael Buna, senior director of the national fleet for Walmart Canada.

“As we work to be more sustainable…embracing additional types of alternative power allows us to go further, faster.”

The company has not said how or where it will access hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. But government officials have already come out saying it will not be an issue.

“It’s no surprise that Walmart has chosen to deploy its first hydrogen-powered semi-truck in its fleet here in Ontario,” said Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s minister of energy and electrification, in press materials.

“We’re rapidly building out Ontario’s hydrogen economy with new production projects that are going to help forward-looking businesses across the province transition to hydrogen vehicles and reduce their emissions.”

Walmart’s first hydrogen truck was sourced by Etobicoke, Ont.-based ITD Industries Inc. ITD is a transportation solutions provider that was named as Nikola’s first Canadian distributor last September.

Walmart has not disclosed if it will purchase more Nikola trucks, or, if so, on what timeline.

Last December, Walmart introduced its first three electric semis, Freightliner’s eCascadia model, into its fleet in British Columbia.