IMC, a top US container hauling firm, invests over $22 million in 50 Nikola fuel-cell trucks for operations in California, Arizona, and Nevada. This shift comes after two years of testing battery-electric vehicles, revealing operational constraints impacting productivity.
IMC initially invested in six Class 8 battery-electric trucks from Volvo in 2022 but encountered challenges, including limited operational hours and productivity concerns. Despite California’s zero-emission vehicle regulations for new drayage trucks, the firm acknowledges a transitional phase, maintaining a majority diesel presence while embracing zero-emission tractors.
To meet regulatory requirements, IMC is turning to hydrogen fuel-cell trucks. IMC expects improvements in weight reduction, efficiency, and cost of operation with Nikola’s hydrogen trucks. However, challenges lie in the lack of hydrogen infrastructure.
CEO Joel Henry underscores the absence of public fueling stations and the necessity to contract with a hydrogen fuel supplier for tanker deliveries. This move diverges from existing hydrogen refueling stations in California, operated by Shell.
