American manufacturer of heavy-duty commercial battery-electric vehicles (EV) Nikola Corporation has announced that it will deliver 100 fuel cell trucks to Ai Logistics (AiLO).
Nikola will complete the delivery by 2025 and the EVs will go into service in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in California.
According to AiLO, a major drayage carrier in LA and Long Beach, the FCEVs will not replace older trucks, but will be an addition to the fleet to meet the growing demands of the port industry.
The logistics operator had also ordered 50 hydrogen fuel cell trucks in 2023, all of which will be delivered this year.
AiLO CEO Jack Khudikyan said: “We’re not just in the business of moving goods; we’re in the business of moving businesses forward.
“Through innovation, technology and sustainable practices, we aim to redefine the logistics landscape and drive positive change in the industry.
“This strategic move to incorporate Nikola FCEVs into our operations reaffirms our commitment to environmental stewardship and underscores our proactive approach toward embracing cutting-edge technologies.”
Nikola has also recently opened its hydrogen refuelling station through its brand HYLA.
Located in Ontario, California, it can refuel up to eight fuel cell trucks per day and is located just a few miles east of both the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach.
The station is the first of 60 planned hydrogen refuelling stations in the US in the coming years.
The first nine are said to open before the end of the second quarter of 2024 while the remaining sites will be completed by 2026.
Global head of sales at Nikola Corporation, Ryan Clayton, said: “Nikola trucks are on the road today, and the biggest test of our trucks is measured by our customers and their repeat orders.
“Having a prominent and mission-driven customer in AiLO not only purchase trucks for 2024 but double their order for 2025 is an honour for our organisation and a testament to their drive to make a difference.”
