Walmart Canada has taken a significant step towards its sustainability goals by integrating a hydrogen fuel cell electric semi-truck from Nikola into its fleet, becoming the first major retailer in the country to do so.
The move underscores Walmart Canada’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint as part of its broader initiative to achieve zero emissions across its operations by 2040. The Nikola Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV Class 8 tractor, capable of covering approximately 800 kilometers on a single charge, promises to eliminate approximately 97 metric tons of CO2 tailpipe emissions annually, according to Nikola.
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Gonzalo Gebara, President and CEO of Walmart Canada, expressed enthusiasm about the milestone, stating, “We’re proud to be introducing Walmart Canada’s first hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle as a major milestone on our journey to becoming a regenerative company. This is a first for a retailer in Canada and is an example of how we will continue to push forward, embrace new technology and spark change within the industry.”
Steve Girsky, President and CEO of Nikola, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing their support for Walmart’s sustainability initiatives: “At Nikola, we are incredibly proud to support Walmart’s sustainability initiatives and to be supporting their historic milestone of being the first retail fleet in Canada to operate a hydrogen fuel cell electric semi-truck.”
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The Nikola truck operates with zero tailpipe emissions, utilizing high-pressure gaseous hydrogen stored in specialized tanks. This hydrogen is converted to electricity in a fuel cell stack, generating power to charge onboard batteries and drive electric motors integrated into the truck’s e-axle. Water vapor is the only byproduct of this process, aligning with both companies’ commitment to environmental responsibility.
