Prince Rupert To Welcome Next-Gen Trucks: Blue and Green Revolution

British Columba (B.C.) is home to world-class clean technology companies, hosting approximately 20% of Canada’s cleantech firms. Listed in the 2022 Global Cleantech 100, seven B.C.-based clean tech companies were highlighted, showcasing the province’s leadership in green innovation. B.C. is actively driving toward a cleaner future through advancements in clean transportation, energy efficiency and the development of clean technologies. In 2023, B.C. led in zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) with the highest per capita adoption in Canada – 22.65% of light-duty vehicles and 0.57% of medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs.

Delivered through the Province’s Integrated Marketplace (IM) program, and led by Innovate BC, the Heavy-Duty Low and Zero Emission Vehicles Trucking (HDZEV) project launched in June 2024 as a partnership between Transport Canada, the Government of B.C. and Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA). This pilot project seeks to de-risk and expedite the adoption of zero and low emission trucks by operators across the province.

The HDZEV project will acquire zero and low-emission vehicles, including maintenance. Four new trucks will be deployed on existing operational routes: two hydrogen-powered, one battery electric and one hydrogen-diesel co-combustion. The operations of these four new trucks will provide valuable data to enhance understanding of their range, reliability and potential optimal use cases. Funding for the HDZEV project includes $2.45 million from the province, $3 million from the Government of Canada and $500,000 from PRPA.

“Through the Integrated Marketplace we are bringing local companies together to share innovative technologies to solve real challenges other businesses are facing. These new zero and low emission vehicles will be coming to the Port of Prince Rupert to support the goal of our Industrial Blueprint to seize new opportunities in growing clean energy and sustainable industries across B.C. creating a more resilient and clean economy.”

– Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation

In addition to PRPA, who collaborates as the testbed partner for the project, other project partners include Velocity Truck Centres, Gat Leedm Logistics, Hydra Energy,  NuPort Robotics and Daimler Truck, which will provide an eCascadia Daimler truck for the project.

• Velocity Truck Centres: Western Canada’s premier Freightliner dealer, supporting the purchase and maintenance of new trucks.
• Gat Leedm Logistics: A logistics and freight expert located in Prince Rupert, managing the trucks’ operations.
• Hydra Energy: The world’s first company to deliver commercial hydrogen-diesel for commercial fleets will generate hydrogen fuel for the new trucks.
• NuPort Robotics: Specializing in autonomous driving technology for trucks, the team will install hardware and analyze data for the project.

This project enables thorough evaluation and risk reduction for zero and low emission trucks in real-world scenarios. This effort contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability, aligning with CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 and PRPA’s strategy.

“The utilization of zero and low-emission vehicles is a key component of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s strategy for reducing port-related carbon emissions by a further 30 percent by 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.”

– Shaun Stevenson, President & CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority

The Integrated Marketplace was established by the Government of B.C. as part of the StrongerBC Economic Plan, with funding support from the Government of Canada through PacifiCan, to promote clean innovation. Led by Innovate BC, the program collaborates closely with partnering testbeds to reduce carbon emissions, increase productivity and improve health and safety throughout B.C. Currently there are four testbeds: Port of Prince Rupert, Port of Vancouver, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and the latest testbed hosted by Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS), a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). To learn more about the Moment Energy’s BESS project with YVR, click here.

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