Daimler Trucks and Volvo Group, two truck makers lukewarm on hydrogen fuel cells, hedge their bets to leverage Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz fuel cell efforts for heavy-duty trucks.
Company accused of cheating its way into U.S. markets while posing a security threat
After shunning public ownership, fuel cell truck startup Nikola watched as the WeWork debacle made private fundraising harder. Its merger with VectoIQ brings in about $700 million to help pay to build Nikola’s Class 8 truck plant and the beginning of a hydrogen fuel station network.
Add Werner Enterprises to the parade of companies testing battery-powered heavy-duty trucks in California.
The electrification of commercial trucks is edging closer but the industry first must go through a “messy middle” that sorts out the future of diesel and other alternative fuels.
With diesel fuel powering 97% of all heavy-duty trucks, it seems silly to predict its industry dominance will end. But don’t tell that to California where the good can be the enemy of the great.
Daimler AG is targeting 2039 to sell only battery- and hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric trucks in its key markets. But the pledge comes with several caveats.
The urgency to get zero-emissions trucks into testing in climate-conscious California continues with Penske Truck Leasing’s purchase of a Kalmar Ottawa battery-electric model.
