J.B. Hunt Transport Services is very confident about having zero tailpipe Nikola Tre hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) semis in its fleet because it just added 20 more in addition to the three it purchased in 2023.
As one of America's largest supply chain solution providers, J.B. Hunt decided to expand its Nikola fleet, specifically on the West Coast, in order to expand its sustainability options for its customers.
“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. “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.”
[Related: J.B. Hunt boss: Zero emissions not a bad thing, but shippers don't want to fund it]
The company specifies that several of the new Nikola semis will be utilized to support its Intermodal operations in California, and that port and drayage will be the bulk of their duties. Adhering to upcoming CARB and South Coast AQMD's Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) program were also key factors behind J.B. Hunt's decision. This, in turn, also benefits customers because they're able to eliminate WAIRE fees and reduce their carbon footprint.
This latest batch of Nikola Tres will be joining J.B. Hunt's existing fleet consisting of 200-plus alternative-powered equipment vehicles already in operation. These vehicles include battery-electric, hydrogen-electric, and renewable natural gas (RNW) powered vehicles.
Nikola's HYLA brand will provide the fueling and the charging infrastructure for the Tre FCEVs. The company recently began a pilot program with Clean Energy featuring the RNG-powered Cummins X15N engine.
J.B. Hunt says that incorporating alternative-powered equipment in its fleet, specifically the expansion of biogenic fuels, and overall fuel economy improvement is parts of its larger goal of reducing emissions by 32 percent by 2034 from a baseline year of 2019. Last year, the company surpassed the halfway mark for these goals.
