EDMONTON, Alta., April 21, 2026 — The Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub today announced new support for the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) to extend its hydrogen truck trial, enabling continued real-world testing of hydrogen-powered freight vehicles in Alberta.
Part of the Hub’s Western Canada Hydrogen Corridors Initiative, the project will see AMTA retain the Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck, a hydrogen fuel-cell truck, for an additional six months. The trial has already allowed carriers, such as Loblaw, Trimac and Bison, to gain hands-on experience operating the hydrogen-powered truck. The extension will allow additional carriers to test it across key Alberta routes, including between Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge.
“This extension is about giving fleets the opportunity to test this hydrogen truck in real operating conditions and understand how the technology performs on local highways, like the Edmonton-Calgary corridor,” said Brent Lakeman, Executive Director, Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub. “As an ecosystem connector, the Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub brings industry, government and partners together to help projects like this move forward and support wider adoption of hydrogen in heavy-duty transportation.”
The trial builds on AMTA’s earlier hydrogen vehicle trials, including the Alberta Zero Emission Truck Electrification Collaboration, the Zero Emission Truck Testbed, and more than 40,000 kilometres driven in Canada with the Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck. Together, these efforts have helped establish a foundation for hydrogen in heavy-duty trucking in Alberta and Western Canada.
“Our initiatives have laid a strong foundation for alternative energy adoption in heavy-duty transportation,” said Robert Harper, President, AMTA. “The introduction of FCEVs and investments in hydrogen production, storage and distribution – along with mechanic and safety training – have positioned Alberta as a leader in the hydrogen economy.”
The Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck is a commercially available hydrogen fuel-cell truck that has demonstrated reliability in global markets and in Canadian testing. Through this project, six to 10 carriers will have access to the vehicle, supported by fueling, training and operational data collection. Fuel provider Azolla Hydrogen will support hydrogen supply for the trial.
Hydrogen is a practical solution for decarbonizing long-haul, heavy-duty trucking, offering the range, refuelling speed and reliability needed for Alberta’s freight operations, including in extreme cold conditions. By providing fleets with direct, real-world experience, this project helps build confidence in hydrogen technology and supports emissions reduction in one of Canada’s highest-emitting sectors.
“We previously had the opportunity to test the Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck in B.C., where we saw strong performance in real-world operations," said Wayne Scott, Senior Director of Transport Maintenance, Loblaw Companies Limited. "We are pleased to continue that experience in Alberta through this extended trial. Support from Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub is helping enable our drivers to gain further hands-on experience as we continue evaluating hydrogen as a practical solution to reduce emissions across our fleet.”
The project also represents an important early step in the Western Canada Hydrogen Corridors Initiative, which aims to decarbonize long-haul trucking while strengthening Canada’s industrial competitiveness, energy security and economy. This trial supports that work by bringing together fleets, vehicle manufacturers and fuel providers, helping build the partnerships and experience needed to expand hydrogen trucking across key freight routes, including Edmonton–Calgary and Calgary–Vancouver.
About Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub
The Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub is advancing the development of a hydrogen economy in the Edmonton region by supporting projects that scale hydrogen production, distribution and end use. Working with industry, government and partners, the Hub brings together key players across the value chain to accelerate practical, real-world hydrogen applications that support economic growth and emissions reduction. Learn more: https://www.hydrogen.ca/
About the Western Canada Hydrogen Corridors Initiative
The Western Canada Hydrogen Corridors Initiative is a first-of-its-kind effort to decarbonize long-haul trucking by building hydrogen supply and demand together along major Western Canadian freight routes. The initiative brings together fleets, truck manufacturers, hydrogen producers, infrastructure providers and governments to develop coordinated, scalable solutions that reduce emissions while strengthening Canada’s industrial competitiveness, energy security and economy. Learn more: https://www.hydrogen.ca/what-we-do/western-canada-hydrogen-corridors-initiative
About Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA)
The Alberta Motor Transport Association is a national leader in commercial transportation, safety and innovation. AMTA works with industry partners to advance zero-emission and low-carbon technologies in freight, including hydrogen and electric vehicle demonstrations, training and deployment initiatives across Alberta and beyond. Learn more: https://amta.ca/innovation-projects/
For more information, please contact:
Jess Harris
Director, Temple Scott Associates
jharris@tsa.ca
437-227-6123
