Total Potential Fleet Partners
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The Western Canda Hydrogen Corridors Initiative (WCHCI) is a strategic effort to develop hydrogen-powered trucking corridors along key routes in Western Canada. Led in collaboration with industry, government, and research partners, the project aims to accelerate hydrogen-vehicle adoption, reduce emissions, and help build a sustainable hydrogen economy by fostering partnerships across producers, distributors, fleet operators, and end users.
Alberta has pioneered pilots that demonstrate the commercial feasibility of heavy-duty hydrogen vehicles. WCHCI will bring together a consortium of partners to advance a hydrogen-vehicle “pilot at scale” in Alberta and British Columbia.
Novel scope considerations include a system-wide business case to assess opportunity from an investment (as well as total cost of ownership) perspective, three different hydrogen powertrains, and interprovincial route dynamics. A robust project governance framework included real-time input and insights from funders, partners, and the Project Advisory Committee.
The classification of high-traffic corridors as priority or secondary was informed by a structured, data-driven methodology that evaluated truck freight volume, potential hydrogen production, availability of fueling stations, and dealer support for maintenance and repairs.
Priority corridor
Secondary corridor
A pilot at scale emulates the complexities of heavy-duty trucking in a corridor or region by testing the full operational
ecosystem. The goal is to accelerate commercial readiness and vehicle adoption. These learnings validate financial
assumptions, close data gaps, and inform investment and incentive strategies.
De-risk investments to incentivize pilot participation
Developing an integrated operational and infrastructure plan
Selecting the project partners and consortium governance structure
Ensuring regulatory alignment for long-term pilot stability
Innovative commercial structures lower upfront costs, enable sustainable funding during the pilot, and reduce complexity for participants.
Pioneer/innovator and fast follower fleets were identified as the most likely participants for the WCHCI pilot; 80 fleets were identified who fall into these two fleet archetypes.
Understanding fleet archetypes is helpful to classify and conduct outreach to those who have potential characteristics for hydrogen truck adoption like decarbonization mandates, emission reduction targets, and compatible duty cycles.
Understanding fleet archetypes is helpful to classify and conduct outreach to those who have potential characteristics for hydrogen truck adoption like decarbonization mandates, emission reduction targets, and compatible duty cycles.
Pioneer/innovator and fast follower fleets were identified as the most likely participants for the WCHCI pilot; 80 fleets were identified who fall into these two fleet archetypes.
Financial, environmental, and social benefits are calculated to identify the potential opportunity for each corridor.
Capital expenditure - vehicles
$ 58,760,094
Capital expenditure - refueling stations
$ 64,255,605
Operating expenditure - vehicles - fuel
$ 80,351,713
Operating expenditure - vehicles - other vehicle expenses
$ 21,756,479
Operating expenditure - refueling stations
$ 17,311,894
Total costs
$ 242,435,785
Current federal incentives
Capital expenditure - vehicles
$ 26,000,000
Capital expenditure - refueling stations
$ 32,127,803
Operating expenditure - vehicles - fuel
$ 18,454,000
Operating expenditure - vehicles - other vehicle expenses
-
Operating expenditure - refueling stations
-
Total incentives
$ 76,581,802
Theorized additional provincial incentives
Capital expenditure - vehicles
$ 19,500,000
Capital expenditure - refueling stations
-
Operating expenditure - vehicles - fuel
$ 7,671,923
Operating expenditure - vehicles - other vehicle expenses
-
Operating expenditure - refueling stations
-
Total incentives
$ 27,171,923
Net costs
Capital expenditure - vehicles
$ 13,260,094
Capital expenditure - refueling stations
$ 32,127,803
Operating expenditure - vehicles - fuel
$ 54,225,790
Operating expenditure - vehicles - other vehicle expenses
$ 21,756,479
Operating expenditure - refueling stations
$ 17,311,894
Net costs
$ 138,682,059
Financial, environmental, and social benefits are calculated to identify the potential opportunity for each corridor.
Capital expenditure - vehicles
$ 58,760,094
Capital expenditure - refueling stations
$ 64,255,605
Operating expenditure - vehicles - fuel
$ 80,351,713
Operating expenditure - vehicles - other vehicle expenses
$ 21,756,479
Operating expenditure - refueling stations
$ 17,311,894
Total costs
$ 242,435,785
Current federal incentives
Capital expenditure - vehicles
$ 26,000,000
Capital expenditure - refueling stations
$ 32,127,803
Operating expenditure - vehicles - fuel
$ 18,454,000
Operating expenditure - vehicles - other vehicle expenses
-
Operating expenditure - refueling stations
-
Total incentives
$ 76,581,802
Theorized additional provincial incentives
Capital expenditure - vehicles
$ 19,500,000
Capital expenditure - refueling stations
-
Operating expenditure - vehicles - fuel
$ 7,671,923
Operating expenditure - vehicles - other vehicle expenses
-
Operating expenditure - refueling stations
-
Total incentives
$ 27,171,923
Net costs
Capital expenditure - vehicles
$ 13,260,094
Capital expenditure - refueling stations
$ 32,127,803
Operating expenditure - vehicles - fuel
$ 54,225,790
Operating expenditure - vehicles - other vehicle expenses
$ 21,756,479
Operating expenditure - refueling stations
$ 17,311,894
Net costs
$ 138,682,059
Two scenarios were developed. The 80-truck scenario requires 9 stations; the 160-truck scenario requires 16. Federal and potential provincial incentives are key to de-risking early participation.
Edmonton-Calgary
20
5
10
45
5
20
Edmonton-Prince
10
5
10
20
20
15
Edmonton-Fort McMurray
10
5
5
15
5
15
The number of stations per location is determined by corridor requirements, ensuring the ratio of trucks to stations aligns with a 1,250 kg station tank size and a 35 kg average fil.
The classification of high-traffic corridors as priority or secondary was informed by a structured, data-driven methodology that evaluated truck freight volume, potential hydrogen production, availability of fueling stations, and dealer support for maintenance and repairs.
Tech mix: ~50% FCEV, 31% HICE, 19% dual-fuel (2028–2035)
Stations: 16 (~1.25 t/day capacity each)
Note: Hydrogen production methods shown are indicative of potential supply
pathways at each location and are not mandatory for pilot execution. Final
configurations will be determined in consultation with partners.
Note: Hydrogen production methods shown are indicative of potential supply
pathways at each location and are not mandatory for pilot execution. Final
configurations will be determined in consultation with partners.
Environmental and social benefits to Western Canada are anticipated to be significant both within the pilot and as markets develop beyond it.
The entire lifecycle is considered when calculating the GHG emissions reductions, including:
Environmental and social benefits to Western Canada are anticipated to be significant both within the pilot and as markets develop beyond it.
The entire lifecycle is considered when calculating the GHG emissions reductions, including:
Source: The Economic Benefits of Public Infrastructure Spending in Canada (Accessed July 10, 2025)
The proposed pilot implements a consistent four-phase approach across all three corridors. The start times for each
corridor may be staggered, allowing for sequential or overlapping progress as each corridor comes online.
Building blocks of the pilot are being put in place and key pilot decisions are being finalized.
Initial vehicles and infrastructure is becoming operational, and the pilot commences in Edmonton to Calgary corridor, and Edmonton to Prince George via Hinton.
The pilot expands to all priority corridors and scales in the number of trucks and fueling stations becoming operational. Edmonton to Fort McMurray activates and Edmonton to Prince Rupert corridor fully connects.
The pilot is fully operational with all trucks and fueling stations deployed on corridors
he WCHCI roadmap provides directional guidance on the sequencing of trucks and fueling stations year-over-year based
on market dynamics, partner priorities, best practices, and corridor considerations. Four distinct phases and sequencing
considerations were identified with timeline and activities of each phase informed by industry assumptions collected
through interviews and research.
To enable the development of the potential consortium, several strategic decisions must be made regarding
commercial models, consortium structure, funding mechanisms, and deployment timelines, with potential partners
through various iterations.
Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub is located and operates in Amiskwaciwâskahikan on Treaty 6 Territory and Métis homelands.
We acknowledge this land as the traditional gathering place and centre for trade for many Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. We recognize that inclusivity is at the heart of sustainable growth and understand that Indigenous partnerships and voices must be at the forefront of the radical transformation of our region