Hyundai Launches NorCAL ZERO Project for Zero-Emission Freight

The dedication event held at Oakland’s FirstElement Fuel Hydrogen Refueling Station brought Hyundai Motor together with its project partners.

Seoul, South Korea- Hyundai Motor Company., launched the NorCAL ZERO Project, an initiative to utilize hydrogen fuel cell technology towards zero-emission freight transportation in San Francisco Bay Area and California’s Central Valley.

This aims to bring zero-emission freight transportation to the region, marking the largest commercial deployment of hydrogen-powered trucks in the U.S.

The dedication event at Oakland's First Element Fuel Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), GLOVIS America, Inc. (GLOVIS America), East Bay Municipal Utilities District, FirstElement Fuel (FEF), Papé, the University of California, the Port of Oakland, the City of Oakland and the community of West Oakland represented by the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project (WOEIP). They gathered to mark the milestone of deploying 30 hydrogen-powered trucks, supported by grant funds from Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the California Energy Commission (CEC).

As part of the NorCAL ZERO Project, also known as Zero-Emission Regional Truck Operations with Fuel Cell Electric Trucks, Hyundai Motor deployed 30 units Class 8 XCIENT Fuel Cell with a 6x4 drive axle configuration in California, which has been in commercial operation since last year. This delivery marks the single largest commercial deployment of Class 8 hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric truck in the U.S.

The trucks can be fueled at FirstElement Fuel’s recently built hydrogen refueling station, which is designed to fuel up to 200 heavy-duty trucks per day. Papé, a specialized truck service provider in the western region, will provide vehicle maintenance and services at its facility in San Leandro, California. Through collaboration with its drayage consortium partners, Hyundai is accelerating the transition to a more sustainable transportation future in North America, with its hydrogen ecosystem playing a key role. These trucks transport goods from the Port of Oakland and vehicles from the Port of Richmond, fueled by First Element Fuel's hydrogen station. Papé provides maintenance services. CTE estimates the fleet could reduce over 24,000 metric tons of carbon emissions compared to diesel vehicles, contributing to a more sustainable transportation future.

Mr. Ken Ramirez, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Commercial Vehicle & Hydrogen Business at Hyundai Motor Company, said “The NorCAL ZERO Project in Oakland marks a significant step forward in realizing Hyundai’s vision for a global hydrogen society”. “The project demonstrates how the transport energy transition is achievable today and will serve as one of the building blocks for Hyundai’s port decarbonization initiatives worldwide.”

Mr. Dan Raudebaugh, CTE Executive Director, said, “The deployment of these trucks in Northern California provides a groundbreaking opportunity to demonstrate the exceptional performance of fuel cell electric trucks for an industry that has traditionally relied on conventional diesel and CNG-powered vehicles”. “We look forward to being a part of a new era for trucking across the U.S. – one marked by zero-emission vehicles that won’t force fleets to compromise on performance.”

Mr. Jim Park, Senior Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle and Hydrogen Business Development at Hyundai Motor North America. said “Hyundai is incredibly proud to be a part of the largest-ever deployment of Class 8 fuel cell electric trucks in North America, “The community in Oakland leads the way in clean, sustainable freight transportation and serves as a blueprint for many more deployments to come in the U.S.”