Distributed Energy Resources, GHG Emissions, Industrial  -  September 30, 2024

J.B. Hunt Adds Fuel Cell EVs

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. , a supply chain solutions provider in North America, announced that it has added 20 fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to expand sustainability solutions for customers with freight needs along the West Coast.

The newly purchased trucks are manufactured by Nikola Tre.

“Our expertise, resources and relationships uniquely position us to help our customers pursue and realize their sustainability goals,” said Greer Woodruff, executive vice president of safety, sustainability and maintenance at J.B. Hunt, in a statement. “Zero-emission vehicles such as these will help along the path to generate viable, sustainable options that help customers advance their efforts to reduce carbon emissions in their supply chain while also helping J.B. Hunt progress on its sustainability journey.”

Several of the new FCEVs are anticipated to support J.B. Hunt Intermodal operations in California and will primarily be utilized for port and drayage transport. They are expected to help alleviate growing shipper concerns connected to recent requirements in the state aimed at reducing carbon emissions and adopting zero-emission vehicle technology, specifically rules from the California Air Resource Board (CARB) and the South Coast AQMD’s Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) program.

Customers can eliminate WAIRE fees and reduce their carbon footprint by working with J.B. Hunt to schedule zero-emission vehicle pick-ups and deliveries.

The Nikola FCEVs will join the 200-plus alternative-powered equipment vehicles that J.B. Hunt currently operates on behalf of customers, which includes battery-electric, hydrogen-electric and renewable natural gas (RNG) powered vehicles. Fueling and infrastructure support will be provided by Nikola via its HYLA brand.

J.B. Hunt purchased three Nikola FCEVs in 2023 that are currently supporting dedicated customer operations.

The company recently kicked off a pilot program with Clean Energy featuring the new Cummins X15N engine, one of the latest developments in RNG-powered vehicles. J.B. Hunt also assisted customers Daimler Truck North America and Electrolux with adding alternative powered-vehicles to its operations.

Incorporating alternative-powered equipment into its fleet, expanding the use of biogenic fuels and improving fuel economy are three key focus areas for J.B. Hunt to reach its goal to reduce carbon emission intensity 32% by 2034 from a baseline year of 2019. Overall progress toward all three areas helped the company surpass the halfway mark for reaching its goal last year.