The Nikola Tre hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 semi has found more customers.
DHL Supply Chain and Diageo North America have made official their latest partnership involving a pair of Nikola FCEVs joining their U.S. fleet. The two trucks will be deployed for operations, along with a HYLA modular refueler, at Diageo's Plainfield, Illinois campus. This is also the first time Class 8 FCEV semis will be entering service in the state.
[Related: Tom's Truck Center opens hydrogen refueling station]
Diageo, a premium drinks company that produces brands like Captain Morgan and Smirnoff, has a 20-year relationship with DHL as its contract logistics partner. The two are continuing to decarbonize customers' logistics operations with the fleet introduction of two Nikola FCEVs. The fleet has had battery-electric vehicles, specifically Class 8 Orange EV yard trucks, since 2015. The combined effect of delivery routes being optimized and increased use of US EPA SmartWay partner carriers have resulted in year-over-year reduction in CO2 emissions for both companies.
"We are thrilled to integrate Nikola's hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks into our U.S. fleet," said Jim Monkmeyer, president of transportation, DHL Supply Chain. "As a global logistics company with the goal of decarbonizing its business, we’ve integrated sustainability as a fourth strategic bottom line named "Green Logistics of Choice" in our newly announced Strategy 2030. The deployment of these fuel cell electric vehicles is one of many initiatives that demonstrates how we are putting action behind our words.”
Replacing two diesel-powered trucks with the zero tailpipe emission Nikolas, according to DHL, is expected to reduce the company's carbon emissions by 80 percent over the course of one year and will significantly reduce local emissions including particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions.
“We’re proud to work alongside visionary partners like DHL and Diageo in driving the transition to zero-emissions transportation,” said Nikola president and CEO Steve Girsky. “Their commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are honored to provide the HYLA hydrogen as well as the hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks that power this shared goal."
[Related: Nikola's CEO and software chief provide exclusive walkthrough of improved BEV 2.0]
The two companies and Nikola worked together for over 18 months in order to have a problem-free deployment. Additional coordination was required with state and local stakeholders involving the review of critical operational parameters, conducting trial runs in real-world conditions, and securing necessary permissions in order to operate hydrogen fueling equipment.
