Loblaw and FortisBC Launch B.C.’s First Hydrogen Truck Demo

Brampton, Canada- Loblaw Companies Ltd., FortisBC Energy Inc., and their partners have launched British Columbia’s first sustained commercial trial of a hydrogen-powered Class 8 truck. The milestone was marked with an event at Loblaw’s Marine Drive distribution centre, attended by project collaborators, industry representatives, and government officials.

Supported by FortisBC’s Clean Growth Innovation Fund, the project began earlier this fall to evaluate the real-world performance of zero-emission heavy-duty trucks in daily retail operations. This hydrogen pilot represents a key step in Loblaw’s broader strategy to explore scalable, low-carbon technologies capable of transforming freight movement across Canada.

Since entering regular service the week of October 14, the hydrogen-fuelled truck has successfully completed multiple delivery routes between the Lower Mainland and Squamish, travelling hundreds of kilometres emission-free. The initiative is gathering vital data on the vehicle’s range, fuelling, and operational performance under real-world conditions.

The project brings together a wide range of partners, including HTEC, the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA), the BC Trucking Association (BCTA), Deloitte, Transport Canada, the Government of British Columbia, and Hyundai Motor Company.

Funding support includes a $30,000 contribution from FortisBC’s Clean Growth Innovation Fund. Data collection and analysis are carried out through Transport Canada’s Zero Emission Trucking Program, delivered via Deloitte and AMTA’s Trucking Testbed, as well as AMTA’s own Zero Emission Trucking Testbed, which pilots emission-free freight hauling across Western Canada. The province’s Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund also contributed funding for the Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, supporting British Columbia’s clean energy innovation efforts.

The truck, leased from HTEC, is fueled at HTEC’s Southeast Marine hydrogen station in Vancouver. Its regular trips between the Lower Mainland and Squamish provide critical insights into hydrogen vehicle efficiency and performance in commercial logistics operations.

The demonstration will run through late November 2025, generating valuable data and lessons to guide future hydrogen vehicle deployment and infrastructure planning across British Columbia.

About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw is a food and pharmacy retailer, offering groceries, pharmacy and healthcare services, apparel, financial services, and mobile products. With over 2,800 locations and more than 200,000 employees, Loblaw and its franchisees are among the country’s largest private-sector employers.

About FortisBC Energy Inc.
FortisBC Energy Inc. is a regulated utility delivering natural gas, Renewable Natural Gas, and propane to over 1 million customers in British Columbia. The company operates 51,600 km of transmission and distribution lines and two LNG storage facilities. It is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a North American leader in regulated energy utilities.

About HTEC
HTEC builds and operates Canada’s clean hydrogen infrastructure, spanning production, distribution, and fueling solutions. Through its Vehicle Leasing Corporation, HTEC supports the deployment of zero-emission vehicles and hydrogen-powered transportation across British Columbia.

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