Oakland Welcomes World's First Hydrogen Fuel Station for Commercial Trucks

An electric and plug-in hybrid car was charged at a public charging station in Berlin, Germany, on October 12, 2019. Germany hopes to encourage electric car sales to bring down CO2 emissions and combat climate change. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Oakland is now home to the world's pioneering hydrogen fuel station designed specifically for trucks. With the capability to refill a truck's hydrogen tanks in just ten minutes, the station boasts the capacity to serve approximately 200 trucks daily.

World's First Hydrogen Fuel Station for Trucks

FirstElement Fuel (FEF), a California-based company established in 2013, spearheaded this groundbreaking initiative. Situated just outside the bustling Port of Oakland, the station marks a significant leap forward in sustainable transportation infrastructure. Its capacity surpasses any previous hydrogen fuel station by more than tenfold.

As part of its inaugural operations, Autoweek reported that the station had dedicated Hyundai XCIENT fuel-cell tractors for "drayage" duty. These tractors, equipped with hydrogen tanks carrying 68.6 kilograms each, offer an impressive range of 450 miles.

Additionally, Nikola hydrogen trucks will join the fleet operating out of Oakland, procuring fuel from FirstElement Fuel. Quantron, a German company, has also committed to this endeavor by signing a memorandum of understanding with FEF.

The move towards hydrogen fuel is gaining momentum, with industry giants such as Cummins, Bosch, Daimler, Toyota, and Volvo actively involved in the development of fuel-cell hydrogen trucks.

FEF states that the hydrogen fuel station can replenish a truck's hydrogen tanks in ten minutes, enabling the station to service approximately 200 trucks daily.

FEF is committed to offering safe and dependable retail hydrogen services to users of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Renowned as a global leader in hydrogen refueling station solutions, the company operates facilities in Irvine, Santa Ana, and Livermore, CA.

As of December 2023, FEF had established 41 retail light-duty stations across California and is now expanding its infrastructure to cater to heavy-duty trucks fueled by hydrogen.

Tyson Eckerle, a clean transportation advisor for Gov. Gavin Newsom's business development office, highlights the significant federal investment of $8 billion aimed at kick-starting the "hydrogen economy" in the United States.

This funding is anticipated to support the establishment of up to 60 additional hydrogen truck stations similar to the one in California. These stations have the potential to accommodate approximately 5,000 trucks and 1,000 buses.

Partnership with Nikola Corp.

Nikola Corporation and FirstElement Fuel solidified a comprehensive 10-year contract in 2023 to replenish Nikola's hydrogen fuel cell electric truck at FEF's hydrogen refueling station in Oakland, California. This strategic alliance designates FEF as an authorized Nikola Fueling Solutions Partner.

Through this partnership, Nikola clients gain access to refueling amenities at the newly established FEF multi-purpose heavy-duty truck station, which is strategically located near the port in Oakland.

The facility will feature the globe's inaugural heavy-duty truck, the H70 express fill lane, for swift hydrogen replenishment.

Funding for the station was secured through the NorCal Zero Project, courtesy of the California Energy Commission. Joel Ewanick, the founder and executive chairman of FEF, expressed confidence in the collaborative effort with Nikola, emphasizing their joint commitment to revolutionizing the transportation industry.

He highlighted the potential synergy between their expertise and vision in driving the adoption of clean and sustainable transportation powered by hydrogen.