Arkansas-based J.B. Hunt Transport Services announced this week it has acquired 13 zero-emissions Class 8 trucks from Nikola. The order includes 10 battery-electric and three hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, with delivery of the first vehicles expected this month, the company said in a statement.
The carrier said its new zero-emissions trucks will be placed into service at facilities serving routes in the greater Los Angeles and Phoenix areas this year. Nikola's hydrogen arm, Hyla, will supply the hydrogen and fueling infrastructure, the carrier said.
Nikola disclosed during an earnings call in May it temporarily halted production of its Tre battery electric vehicles due to oversupply. But the move also allowed the company to modify its Coolidge, Arizona, plant to accommodate both hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric builds on the same line to streamline costs.
J.B. Hunt in November announced a goal to reduce its carbon emissions 32% by 2034. Incorporating alternative powered equipment into its fleet is part of achieving that the goal.
"It's important for us to be at the forefront of new technologies and innovative solutions that have the potential to change the way we move freight," COO and President of Contract Services Nick Hobbs said in a statement.
