Innovative Hydrogen Truck Fueling Station Launched in Oakland, California

Oakland, California, is now home to the world’s largest and the first commercial hydrogen fueling station for trucks. This groundbreaking facility, developed by FirstElement Hydrogen Refueling Station, has revolutionized hydrogen refueling by matching the refueling speed of traditional diesel trucks.

This facility can accommodate the refueling of up to 200 hydrogen-fuel-cell trucks daily and offers consecutive service without delay. It’s set to massively increase the hydrogen capacity utilized in the transportation sector, aiming to handle approximately 18,000 kilograms of hydrogen daily and over 6.3 million kilograms annually. This marks a significant leap from the 2 million kilograms consumed by hydrogen passenger vehicles across the U.S. in 2023.

FirstElement Fuel has partnered with Hyundai and Nikola, securing commitments to regularly use the station for about 90 trucks. Furthermore, more truck manufacturers are anticipated to join this initiative, expanding the fleet of hydrogen-powered, fuel cell trucks.

Breakthrough in Hydrogen Fueling Technology

A significant advancement comes from the introduction of the “cryo-pump” hydrogen fueling technology, developed in collaboration with automotive giant Bosch. Shane Stephens, co-founder and chief development officer of FirstElement Fuel, hailed this innovation as a transformative development for the industry. This technology promises a tenfold increase in hydrogen pumping capacity compared to existing methods.

Expansion Plans and Environmental Impact

The Port of Oakland station is the pioneer among 15 planned hydrogen truck stations by FirstElement Fuel across California, aimed at establishing a robust hydrogen infrastructure along key trucking corridors. Two additional stations are expected to launch in the state next year.

Hyundai’s participation involves their Class 8 Xcient Fuel Cell electric trucks as part of the NorCal Zero project, a $53 million initiative promoting zero-emission freight transport in the Bay Area and Central Valley. This project is expected to prevent approximately 24.4 metric tons of CO2 emissions—equivalent to the impact of 2.4 million gallons of diesel—over a six-year period.

Hyundai Xcient and Glovis America’s Role

GET Freight, a subsidiary of Glovis America, is actively utilizing the Hyundai Xcient hydrogen-fuel cell trucks for operations involving hauling from the Port of Oakland and Port of Richmond. This initiative not only aims to match the total cost of ownership of diesel trucks over six years but also projects cost savings thereafter.

Glovis America, originating from the logistics departments of Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America, has expanded significantly since its inception, focusing on enhancing the efficiency of automotive supply chains across the U.S.

The hydrogen trucks, boasting a range of over 450 miles per fill, are primarily used for drayage services, transporting freight and vehicles throughout the Bay Area and Central Valley, contributing to a greener and more sustainable transportation network.