The vehicles will be deployed through HTEC’s H2 Gateway programme, which aims to drive the adoption of hydrogen as a transportation fuel in the region.

In addition to the 100 FCETs, HTEC plans to develop an interprovincial network of up to 20 hydrogen refuelling stations, which will be backed by three clean hydrogen production facilities located Burnaby, Nanaimo and Prince George. A facility in North Vancouver will also liquefy 15 tonnes-per-day of vented by-product hydrogen.

Read more: HTEC breaks ground of BC green hydrogen production and liquid transfer facility

The trucks will be managed and leased through HTEC’s Vehicle Leasing Corporation (VLC), which is designed to enable coordinated hydrogen supply and demand in targeted regions. It focuses on both Class 7 and 8 hydrogen-fuelled trucks, including fuel cells and internal combustion engines (ICE).

The project has been supported with an investment of $10.3m from B.C.’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. Minister Josie Osborne, said, “Hydrogen technology is our best option when it comes to building a clean economy in B.C.’s commercial transportation sector, which accounts for 25% of total provincial emissions.”

Jeff Grant, Vice-President of Transportation Solutions at HTEC, said, “Building on HTEC’s B.C. Hydrogen Pilot Trucks Project and the B.C. Hydrogen Ports Project, the H2 Gateway programme will establish the first large-scale, heavy-duty hydrogen-powered fleet of trucks to operate in B.C.”

In May (2024), the Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB) announced it would back HTEC with $337m to build out hydrogen refuelling stations and by-product hydrogen liquefaction.

Read more: HTEC secures CAD $337m loan from CIB for Canadian hydrogen refuelling network