Mobility Initiatives

Heavy-Duty Freight Initiatives

Heavy-Duty Freight

Complete

AMTA Zero Emission Truck Testbed

ZETT

Transport Canada's Zero Emission Truck Testbed project led by AMTA. Real-world pilot testing of emerging zero-emission trucking technologies with four fleet operators (Sutco, Bison Transport, Trimac Transportation, Arrow Transport) carrying different loads with varying driver profiles, routes, and geographic conditions across all four seasons in Alberta and BC.

Why it matters

Evaluates heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles, hydrogen fueling, and charging technology in Canadian operations under real-world conditions.

Partners

AMTA, Transport Canada, Sutco, Bison Transport, Trimac Transportation, Arrow Transport

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Key facts

Project value

Funding

Transport Canada

Mobility focus

Class 8 BEV and hydrogen FCEV trucks

Infrastructure

Operational since

2024

Number of Associated Vehicles

Heavy-Duty Freight

Active

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Hydrogen Locomotive Pilot

North America's first hydrogen-powered line-haul locomotive project. Retrofitting an existing locomotive with hydrogen fuel cells and battery technology to power electric traction motors. Builds on CPKC's previous efforts with biofuels, compressed natural gas, and battery power.

Why it matters

Addresses the freight-rail sector's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly all freight locomotives in North America are diesel-powered, making this a significant decarbonization opportunity.

Partners

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)

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Key facts

Project value

$30 Million

Funding

$15 Million - ERA matched by $15 million by CPKC

Mobility focus

Freight rail locomotives

Infrastructure

CPKC Ogden. AB and Clover Bar, AB

Operational since

2024

Number of Associated Vehicles

7 total, across 3 types of locomotives.

Heavy-Duty Freight

Active

Hydrogen Vehicle Demonstrations

HVD

Canada's first heavy-duty hydrogen vehicle demonstration project, offering Alberta-based commercial carriers the opportunity to test Class 8 hydrogen-fueled trucks within their own operations. Current phase features Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck. Over 40,000 km logged across key Alberta routes.

Why it matters

Collects performance data on hydrogen vehicles under Alberta road, payload, and weather conditions while addressing challenges around fuel cell reliability, infrastructure, and vehicle cost and maintenance. Findings inform policy development and support broader commercial adoption.

Partners

AMTA, HTEC, Loblaw, Trimac, Bison, Suncor Energy, Azolla Hydrogen, Hydra Energy, Hyzon, Nikola, Hyundai, Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub

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Key facts

Project value

$2.34 Million

Funding

$2.34 Million - NRCan

Mobility focus

Class 8 hydrogen-fueled trucks, commercial freight

Infrastructure

Azolla Hydrogen fueling, HTEC infrastructure

Operational since

2023

Number of Associated Vehicles

6 (2 Nikola, 2 AZETEC, 1 Hyzon, 1 Hyundai XCIENT)

Heavy-Duty Freight

Active

Alberta Zero Emission Vehicle Truck Electrification Collaboration

AZETEC

Developing and demonstrating two long-range hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 8 trucks for year-round operation between Edmonton and Calgary. The trucks combine a Ballard Power Systems fuel cell engine with a lithium-ion battery pack and Dana electric drive system on a Freightliner Cascadia platform, targeting 700 km range and 63,500 kg payload capacity.

Why it matters

First vehicles of this size and capacity to be built and tested in the world. Designed as a first step toward large-scale deployment of hydrogen freight vehicles in Alberta, with findings intended to inform infrastructure planning, workforce training, and regulatory pathways.

Partners

Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA), Ballard Power Systems, Dana Inc., HTEC, Suncor Energy, and 16 total partners

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Key facts

Project value

$18.2 million

Funding

Emissions Reduction Alberta ($7.34 million)

Mobility focus

Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, long-haul freight

Infrastructure

HTEC fueling station in Sherwood Park, testing facility at YEG

Operational since

Number of Associated Vehicles

2 (Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell trucks)

Transit & Municipal Fleets

Complete

Edmonton International Airport Zero Emission Fleet

Edmonton International Airport (YEG) partnered with Toyota and Hyundai to facilitate the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) for airport operations and use by partners across the airport ecosystem. The initiative concluded with 12 vehicles acquired (11 from Hyundai, 1 from Toyota), successfully establishing the airport's first hydrogen FCEV fleet. To support fueling, YEG collaborated with Air Products to install a mobile hydrogen refueler on-site and with FirstElement Fuel to establish a broader network of fueling stations at the airport.

Why it matters

Demonstrates hydrogen adoption across diverse vehicle types, including light-duty vehicles, heavy-duty fleet vehicles, and on-demand transit services, within a major airport ecosystem. Establishes early fueling infrastructure and real-world operational experience that can inform future FCEV deployment decisions for airport authorities and industry partners across Canada.

Partners

YEG, Toyota, Hyundai, Hydra Energy, VEXSL, Air Products, FirstElement Fuel, Letenda

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Key facts

Project value

Funding

Mobility focus

Light-duty FCEVs for airport operations and airport ecosystem partners

Infrastructure

Mobile hydrogen refueler (Air Products) and hydrogen fueling station network (FirstElement Fuel)

Operational since

2022

Number of Associated Vehicles

Transit & Municipal Fleets

Active

Alberta Zero Emission Hydrogen Transit

AZEHT

Demonstrating two hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEB) under real-world conditions in Alberta, with one bus added to the Edmonton Transit Service fleet and one to the Strathcona County fleet. Buses manufactured by New Flyer with Ballard Power Systems fuel cell electric engine.

Why it matters

Gives Alberta municipalities hands-on experience with FCEB technology while generating performance data to compare against diesel, CNG, and battery electric alternatives. Results will inform deployment of economically viable fueling stations and distribution systems across the province.

Partners

Edmonton Transit Service, Strathcona County, New Flyer, Ballard Power Systems, Suncor Energy

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Key facts

Project value

$10.2 million

Funding

$4.63 million - Emissions Reduction Alberta

Mobility focus

Hydrogen fuel cell electric transit buses

Infrastructure

Fueling infrastructure Suncor - AZETEC project, hydrogen from Alberta's Industrial Heartland

Operational since

2023

Number of Associated Vehicles

2 (1 ETS FCEV Bus, 1 Strathcona County FCEV Bus)

Dual-Fuel Commercialization Initiatives

Dual-Fuel Commercialization

Active

Dual Fuel Commercialization Program

Edmonton-region companies are commercializing retrofit technologies that allow existing heavy-duty diesel engines to operate using hydrogen or other lower-carbon fuels. Early work by Diesel Tech Industries included converting a Diversified Transportation motorcoach, followed by applications in transit, heavy-duty trucking and specialized equipment. Innovative Fuel Systems has advanced its Multi-Fuel Technology Platform from natural-gas commercialization to hydrogen use in a KAG Canada Class 8 truck. Additional deployments include hydrogen-diesel runway snow sweepers at Edmonton International Airport and an Empire Hydrogen system installed in a Volker Stevin fleet vehicle.

Why it matters

Demonstrates proven performance, economic efficiency and meaningful greenhouse-gas reductions for existing heavy-duty engines without requiring full vehicle replacement. These retrofit systems provide fleets with a practical way to begin using hydrogen while retaining the range, reliability and operational flexibility of diesel equipment.

Partners

Innovative Fuel Systems Ltd., Diesel Tech Industries, Certarus, KAG Canada, Superior Propane, Trimac Transportation Services Inc., Diversified Transportation, Edmonton International Airport, Empire Hydrogen Energy Systems and Volker Stevin

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Key facts

Project value

Multiple Projects

Funding

Varies

Mobility focus

Heavy-duty trucks, motorcoaches, transit and municipal vehicles, and specialized heavy-duty equipment

Infrastructure

Uses onboard hydrogen storage and existing or mobile hydrogen-fuelling infrastructure; no dedicated project-wide infrastructure

Operational since

Varies by project

Number of Associated Vehicles

14 total across projects (DTI: 12, IFS: 1, Volker Stevin Empire H2: 1)

Fleet Fueling & Readiness

Mobile and commercial fueling projects supporting early hydrogen fleet testing and deployment.

Infrastructure Supports

Active

HTEC Gateway Project

HTEC plans to build an interprovincial network of up to 20 new hydrogen refueling stations to support fuel cell electric vehicles, particularly heavy-duty hydrogen trucks. Supported by three new clean hydrogen production facilities in Burnaby, Nanaimo, and Prince George, plus a facility to liquefy 15 tonnes per day of vented by-product hydrogen in North Vancouver.

Why it matters

Creates critical refueling infrastructure to enable long-haul hydrogen trucking between provinces. Expected to create nearly 300 jobs.

Partners

HTEC, British Columbia Government

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Key facts

Project value

$900 million

Funding

British Columbia Government

Mobility focus

Heavy-duty hydrogen trucks, FCEVs

Infrastructure

20 hydrogen refueling stations, 3 hydrogen production facilities

Operational since

Number of Associated Vehicles

Infrastructure Supports

Complete

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demo

EVID

AMTA, Suncor, and HTEC developed Alberta's first commercial hydrogen fueling station for heavy-duty vehicles. The $9.2 million project designed, constructed, and operated two integrated hydrogen sites at the Suncor Refinery and Terminal in Sherwood Park, producing, purifying, storing, and dispensing hydrogen for heavy-duty vehicles along the Edmonton-Calgary corridor. Note: EVID is completed and finalized. The final project report is available on the AMTA website.

Why it matters

Advanced technology readiness from TRL 6 to TRL 9. Attracted over 10 additional hydrogen vehicles to the region beyond the original AZETEC trucks. Trained over 40 staff and contributed to the Alberta Hydrogen Refuelling Station Guidebook.

Partners

AMTA, Suncor Energy, HTEC, Natural Resources Canada

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Key facts

Project value

$9.2 million

Funding

Natural Resources Canada ($2.3 million federal funding)

Mobility focus

Heavy-duty vehicles, buses, fuel cell electric vehicles, dual fuel trucks

Infrastructure

Hydrogen fueling stations at Suncor Refinery and Terminal in Sherwood Park

Operational since

Number of Associated Vehicles

Infrastructure Supports

Active

Velocity Truck Centres Hydrogen / CNG Service Bay

State-of-the-art Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Hydrogen Service Bay at South Edmonton location. In partnership with Lakeland College and NAIT, serves as a training centre for technicians to expand skillset to include servicing hydrogen vehicles.

Why it matters

Expands hydrogen vehicle maintenance and technician training capabilities in Alberta.

Partners

Velocity Truck Centres, Lakeland College, NAIT

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Key facts

Project value

Funding

Mobility focus

Hydrogen vehicle maintenance and training

Infrastructure

CNG and Hydrogen Service Bay

Operational since

Number of Associated Vehicles

Infrastructure Supports

Active

Alberta Zero Emission First Fueling

AZEFF

Deploying two mobile hydrogen fueling stations to supply hydrogen-capable municipal fleet vehicles during the testing phase of low-emissions alternatives. The first station, the Azolla Biodrome, became operational at the City's Ellerslie Facility in June 2025, producing on-site hydrogen from methanol and deionized water.

Why it matters

Addresses one of the key early barriers to hydrogen adoption: the lack of reliable fueling infrastructure. The project fuels hydrogen fuel cell cars, a fuel cell electric transit bus, dual fuel transit buses, semi-trucks, and waste collection trucks.

Partners

City of Edmonton, Strathcona County, Sturgeon County, Alberta Motor Transport Association, Emissions Reduction Alberta, Transition Accelerator Inc., University of Alberta, Government of Alberta, Diesel Tech Industries, Azolla Hydrogen Ltd.

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Key facts

Project value

$6.9 million

Funding

Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)

Mobility focus

Municipal fleets, transit buses, semi-trucks, waste collection trucks

Infrastructure

Construction of two mobile hydrogen fueling stations

Operational since

June 2025

Number of Associated Vehicles

8+ (City of Edmonton: 3 Nexo, 2 Mirai, 1 FCEV Bus, 1 Dual Fuel Bus, 1 Waste Refuse Truck; plus Gov. of Alberta 3 Mirai, Edmonton Global 1 Mirai)

Hydrogen mobility in real-world operation