DHL and Diageo North America Partner with Nikola for Hydrogen Truck Deployment
Key Ideas
  • DHL partners with Diageo North America to deploy hydrogen-powered Nikola semi trucks and a standalone hydrogen fueling station for heavy haul routes in the Great Lakes region.
  • The initiative aims to reduce emissions compared to diesel trucks, improve driver comfort, and align with DHL's Strategy 2030 for sustainable 'Green Logistics of Choice'.
  • Nikola and Diageo stress the environmental benefits of hydrogen trucks, despite skepticism from some sources about the greenness and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen as a fuel source.
  • The success and continuation of the hydrogen pilot program will determine the future usage of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs) by DHL and Diageo for their logistics operations.
Global logistics company DHL has teamed up with Diageo North America, the producer of Captain Morgan rum, to introduce a new deployment of hydrogen-powered Nikola semi trucks and a dedicated hydrogen fueling station. This move marks DHL's commitment to zero-emission transportation, following its previous initiatives with battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) dating back to 2015. The decision to opt for hydrogen-powered vehicles over pure electric ones is aimed at exploring alternative green technologies for heavy haul routes in the Great Lakes region, where charging infrastructure is limited for electric trucks. The partnership between Nikola and Diageo emphasizes the environmental benefits of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), highlighting the potential emissions reduction compared to traditional diesel trucks. The Nikola trucks offer a range of over 500 miles on a full tank, along with improvements in driver comfort and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) effectiveness. This initiative aligns with DHL's newly announced Strategy 2030, focusing on sustainable 'Green Logistics of Choice', as stated by Jim Monkmeyer, President of Transportation at DHL Supply Chain. Marsha McIntosh, President of North America Supply at Diageo, expressed enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing its role in decarbonizing operations in Plainfield, Illinois. Despite skepticism from some quarters about the environmental and economic viability of hydrogen as a fuel source, the partnership views hydrogen as a promising alternative to diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) in heavy-duty applications. While some critics question the 'greenness' and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen fuel, the positive strides in emissions reduction, driver comfort, and sustainability goals underscore the potential of hydrogen trucks for the future of logistics. The success of the pilot program will determine the feasibility and continuation of using hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs) in the operations of DHL and Diageo in the long run.
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