Hydrogen adoption is more accessible in the Edmonton region

On June 6, Velocity Truck Centres (VTC) opened Alberta’s first hydrogen and compressed natural gas (CNG) service bay.

The opening of VTC’s service bay is another step towards making hydrogen vehicle adoption more accessible across the Edmonton region. The bay will provide state-of-the-art repairs to CNG and hydrogen-powered, heavy-duty trucks – in addition to helping train a new generation of hydrogen vehicle technicians.

In partnership with Lakeland College and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) VTC’s service bay will also act as a training centre for technicians to expand their knowledge on performing safe and reliable repairs on hydrogen vehicles.  

Why is the switch to hydrogen vehicles critical?

In 2021, transportation accounted for 28% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Canadian federal government aims to be net-zero emissions by 2050, meaning that reducing the emissions from transportation is crucial.

To reduce emissions from the transportation industry, it’s essential to transition to other technologies, like electric and hydrogen vehicles.  

Canada's Hydrogen Vehicle Initiative: Paving the Path Forward

In Canada, commercial hydrogen vehicles hold promise as a viable option, which is why the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge aims to increase the number of hydrogen vehicles on the roads of Western Canada to at least 5,000 in the next five years.  

In promoting hydrogen vehicle use across Western Canada, the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge is working to make owning and maintaining hydrogen vehicles more accessible – which is why VTC’s new bay is such an important step in furthering the challenge.  

The VTC bay's partnership with NAIT and Lakeland College will put Edmonton at the forefront of hydrogen technology. This collaboration will train workers to service hydrogen vehicles, paving the way for a smoother transition to clean transportation.

More advances in the 5k challenge in the Edmonton region

In addition to VTC’s service bay, the Edmonton region is making several other strides towards advancing the use of hydrogen vehicles.  

At the 2024 Canadian Hydrogen Convention, Air Products Canada announced plans to build a network of new hydrogen fueling stations along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, creating a “hydrogen highway” between Calgary and the Edmonton region.  

While Air Product’s fueling stations are still underway, the Edmonton region has already opened hydrogen fueling stations. In April of 2024, Blackjacks Roadhouse opened Alberta’s first commercial hydrogen fueling station in Leduc County.  

Additionally, the Edmonton International Airport (YEG) partnered with Toyota Canada to introduce 100 hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) into the Edmonton region – the first of its kind in Alberta. This initiative supports the acceleration of the adoption of hydrogen technology in Western Canada's commercial transportation sector. The Edmonton International airport also houses a hydrogen fueling station on their grounds to support the use of these hydrogen vehicles.  

During the 2024 Canadian Hydrogen Convention, Alberta Innovates and Emissions Reduction Alberta also announced $57 million in project funding. The Government of Alberta, through Alberta Innovates and Emissions Reduction Alberta, will fund 28 projects spanning hydrogen production, usage, distribution, storage, and transmission.

These initiatives highlight the region's commitment to leading the way in the adoption of hydrogen vehicles, making significant progress in infrastructure and education to support a sustainable future.

Each of these projects across the Edmonton region play a key role in supporting the integration of 5,000 hydrogen vehicles. Between VTC’s commitment to building more service stations in Western Canada just like this one, to Air Products Canada’s and places like Blackjack’s Roadhouse work on building hydrogen-fuelling stations, last Thursday’s event symbolizes yet another step towards a greener future.