First Truck Centre owned by Freightliner and Western Star are set to provide feedback on Hydra’s four-day installation training modules, which its mechanics will complete to become official Hydra conversion kit installers.

The agreement will also see First Truck Centre service and support Hydra’s hydrogen-based solution for fleet customers.

As part of the partnership, the companies are also being supported by the Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE), founded by the Government of British Columbia and Shell to enable breakthroughs to aid the province’s Net Zero goals.

Jessica Verhagen, CEO of Hydra Energy, said, “Furthering relationships like this one with First Truck Centre is the fastest way for Hydra to convert more heavy-duty vehicles to run on both hydrogen and diesel. It’s also critical that we work with partners who have existing relationships with fleets so Hydra’s two-day conversion and any ongoing maintenance can be done locally.

“We’re honoured to work alongside the First Truck Centre team and welcome their experienced input as we continue to perfect our economical, transition solution on the road to Net Zero.”

Rod Graham, President of First Truck Centre, commented, “After seeing first-hand a Hydra-converted truck performing so well in the tough northern Canadian conditions of extreme cold, challenging terrain, and heavy payloads, we knew we had to learn more about the company and its solution.”

The news follows on from Hydra’s announcement in April (2022) of its second heavy-duty fleet customer, Veteran Express Secure Logistics (VEXSL), to see the hydrogen conversion and delivery of an armoured vehicle to operation in and around Edmonton, Canada.

Read more: Hydra Energy secures agreement with VEXSL to convert armoured logistic vehicles to hydrogen