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Introducing the Hydrogen Mobility Champions Council

Published by
Amanda Sparks
03
July 2024
Meet the hydrogen industry Champions that are driving the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge.

The newly formed Hydrogen Mobility Champions Council is rapidly propelling Western Canada's commercial transportation sector towards a future fueled by hydrogen.

The Champions Council acts as a catalyst for the Region's hydrogen mobility ecosystem by uniting industry leaders from across the hydrogen value chain to accelerate the deployment of vehicles, infrastructure, and supportive programming to drive the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge forward.

The Council is chaired by Edmonton Global, and members include:

Rachel Smith, President, Air Products; Clarence Shields, Owner, Blackjacks Roadhouse; David Richards, General Manager, Diversified Transportation; Arjan Sharma, Branch Manager, Fleet and Facility Services, City of Edmonton; Stephen Beatty, Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Toyota Canada; Kaoru Sakaguchi, General Manager, Mobility Business, Mitsui Canada; Jorg Wimbert, Head of Canada, Nikola Corporation; Rebecca Goldsack, COO, Diesel Tech Industries (DTI); Leland Oberst, President & CEO, Innovative Fuel Systems; Rod Graham, President, Velocity Truck Centres; Mike Gomes, Vice-President of Maintenance, Bison Transport

These Champions are actively investing in the Edmonton Region's hydrogen opportunity. The members of the Champions Council have already made significant contributions to the advancement of hydrogen mobility across the Region.

Some of the projects that members of the Council have initiated include BlackJacks Roadhouse (represented by owner Clarence Shields) has already opened Alberta's first commercial hydrogen fueling station. Air Products Canada (represented on the Council by Vice President Rachel Smith) are not only building a net-zero energy complex, but also announced a network of commercial hydrogen fueling stations being built along the Queen Elizabeth (QEII) highway.

Velocity Truck Centres (represented on the Council by their President, Rod Graham) opened Alberta's first Hydrogen and compressed natural gas service bay; and Toyota Canada and Edmonton International Airport (YEG) are in partnership for a 100-vehicle fleet of Toyota Mirai.

The Hydrogen Mobility Champions Council, which was formally introduced on June 27 at Hydrogen at the Raceway, is just one example of how the Edmonton Region is moving aggressively to accelerate the transition to hydrogen and de-risk investments into this new opportunity.

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WATCH: Take a peak into the Hydrogen Mobility Champions Council to discuss industry's role in driving the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge forward. On the panel, we heard from Rebecca Goldsack from DTI, Rod Graham from Velocity Truck Centres, and Scott MacKenzie from Toyota Canada.
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Edmonton Global is located and operates in Amiskwaciwâskahikan on Treaty 6 Territory and Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4.  

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.