AZETEC project enters next phase of testing for heavy-duty truck fleet in Canada

The Alberta Zero-Emissions Truck Electrification Collaboration (AZETEC) project is ramping up its next phase of development and testing for its two hydrogen fuel cell-powered heavy-duty trucks, which were unveiled to the public at the Industry Innovations Expo in Alberta, Canada in September 2024.

Having arrived in Edmonton at the end of September, the 63-ton Class 8 trucks will now take part in commercial pilot testing of the hydrogen vehicles – which represents a first-of-its-kind event for heavy-duty freight transport in Alberta. Supported in part by funding from Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), AZETEC aims to help significantly reduce emissions in a carbon-heavy segment of the industry, while advancing the local hydrogen economy.

The fuel cell trucks will operate between Calgary and Edmonton and are specially designed to tackle the region’s extreme climate while maintaining payload without compromising performance or range – which is up to 700km on a single fill. The vehicles are powered by four Ballard 70kW FCmove^®-HD fuel cell engines.

Representatives of collaborators in the AZETEC project at the Industry Innovations Expo in Alberta in September 2024

Ballard and ERA are joined on the project by major players such as Dana Incorporated, Hydrogen Technology & Energy Corporation (HTEC), Suncor Energy, and other stakeholders including Trimac Transportation and Bison Transport, who have all contributed their specific industry expertise to the development of the first AZETEC truck. 

With initial challenges addressed and overcome - and the required hydrogen infrastructure now in place - the focus of the AZETEC project shifts to data collection and performance assessment. 

"In 2019, we had a dream and a vision with a bunch of collaborative partners - coming together as a trucking industry to design something that had never been done before. After a six-year journey, we've got two hydrogen fuel cell vehicles ready to go. They're going to be tested on Alberta's roads so we can see what they can do and prove out to the world that they can be fueled well and handled on roads safely."

Tim Bennett Chairman, Alberta Motor Transport Association

Fitted with various sensors, the trucks will now go through rigorous testing, led by researchers from the University of Alberta, who will compare the hydrogen fuel cell trucks to diesel-powered units, measuring energy consumption and performance in diverse weather conditions and under different load capacities. Test scenarios will include climbing hills, maneuvering under heavy loads, and driving through Alberta's extreme winter environment.

Following the conclusion of successful testing, the next stage for the program will emphasize scaling up the technology and infrastructure in order to drive costs down - targeting a robust network of hydrogen refueling stations and low-carbon intensity hydrogen production facilities, leveraging the AZETEC project as a catalyst for on-highway hydrogen transportation in Alberta.