Prince Rupert is advancing its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a new pilot project.
A new hydrogen fuel cell truck is now being tested at the Port of Prince Rupert as part of the Heavy Duty Zero Emissions Vehicle Pilot Project, a partnership with Innovate BC's Integrated Marketplace. The 2025 model truck is the first of its kind anywhere in the world to be deployed, and Prince Rupert gets first dibs.
Earlier this month, Prince Rupert Fire Rescue joined the Prince Rupert Port Authority for a hands-on safety training session with Hyundai Motor Group to learn about the new vehicle鈥攖he 2025 Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck鈥攚hich will be locally operated by Innovate BC's program partners Gat Leedm Logistics drivers and tested on a route between Prince Rupert and Terrace.
"Training brought together service and maintenance staff, local first responders and drivers, giving them the opportunity to learn more about the technology, its operational capabilities and future potential," Innovate BC stated.
The XCIENT is the world's first commercially-produced hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck and has advanced zero-tailpipe emission transportation since it was launched in 2020. Since then, it has been deployed in 13 countries, including Switzerland where it was initially launched and has logged more than 13 million kilometres of cumulative driving in the demanding conditions of the Swiss Alps.
The new 2025 model features an upgraded hydrogen fuel cell system that has undergone rigorous testing across North America to ensure that it meets port transportation and medium-distance logistics needs. It has a driving range of over 720 kilometres under optimal conditions, thanks to its 10 hydrogen tanks with a total combined capacity of approximately 68 kilograms, and has a gross combination weight of up to 82,000 pounds.
The truck is also equipped with Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems designed to improve safety and minimize driver fatigue, in addition to upgraded interior designs for improved driver comfort and convenience.
The City of Prince Rupert has shown its commitment to a broader hydrogen strategy in the past, as it announced last month a hydrogen refuelling station will be built at 271 Kaien Road for up to three years of service station activities. The city proceeded with the statutory notification for a Temporary Use Permit on July 21, as the current zoning regulations do not permit fuelling stations in the Waterfront Industrial Zone.
The station will be used for hydrogen production and dispatching, and is supported in part by Innovate BC, a Crown agency aimed at fostering innovation to drive a thriving, sustainable and inclusive economy, according to its website.
City urban planner Rodolfo Paras said Prince Rupert aims to encourage sustainability practices for new and exciting industries.
"Hydrogen is one of the fuelling sources being promoted by the Government of Canada as a pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," he stated. "As this development is related to hydrogen fuelling, it allows for an opportunity for the city to showcase support for this energy alternative."
The station also aligns with the city's Community Energy & Emissions Plan, and outlines how local governments can play a prominent role in the transition to low-carbon and electric vehicle fuelling and charging stations.
"By allowing for this temporary development, the city would be supporting an action that will allow for hydrogen as a fuel in the region, and may help in reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions in the city," Paras stated.
In 2024, there was one hydrogen vehicle registered in Prince Rupert, according to ICBC statistics released in June.
