J.B. Hunt buys another 20 Nikola Tre hydrogen fuel cell trucks

J.B. Hunt Transport Services has purchased 20 more Nikola Tre hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, the carrier announced late last month. The Arkansas-based trucking giant will use some of the FCEV trucks in its intermodal operations in California for port and drayage hauls.

“Zero-emission vehicles such as these will help along the path to generate viable, sustainable options that help customers advance their efforts to reduce carbon emissions in their supply chain while also helping J.B. Hunt progress on its sustainability journey,” said Greer Woodruff, J.B. Hunt’s EVP of safety, sustainability and maintenance, in the announcement.

The 20 Nikola zero-emissions trucks will join more than 200 alternatively powered vehicles J.B. Hunt operates on behalf of its customers, the company noted. Those include battery-electric, hydrogen-electric and renewable natural gas (RNG) powered vehicles.

J.B. Hunt last year bought three Nikola FCEVs that support dedicated customer operations, and others incorporating Nikola’s Class 8 trucks into their operations include Biagi Bros., IMC Logistics, Coyote Container and 4 Gen.

Nikola’s Hyla brand will provide hydrogen fueling and support for the trucks. The ones headed to California will help J.B. Hunt comply with state rules aimed at reducing carbon emissions and adopting zero-emission vehicle technology, the company said. 

The company directly referenced the California Air Resource Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) program in its announcement.“Customers can eliminate WAIRE fees and reduce their carbon footprint by working with J.B. Hunt to schedule zero-emission vehicle pick-ups and deliveries,” the company said.

The zero-emission truck purchases are part of J.B. Hunt’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions 32% from 2019 to 2034, and the company surpassed the halfway mark on its plan last year, it said. “Our expertise, resources and relationships uniquely position us to help our customers pursue and realize their sustainability goals,” Woodruff said.