In a significant leap towards sustainable transportation, Hyzon Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: HYZN), a pioneer in hydrogen fuel cell technology, proudly announced the delivery of four cutting-edge fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to the renowned food distribution giant, Performance Food Group (NYSE: PFGC). The milestone event, held at PFG’s Vistar facility in Fontana, brought together local government officials, corporate leaders, and PFG associates for a joint ceremony that featured ride-along demonstrations showcasing the innovative FCEVs.
Parker Meeks, Chief Executive Officer of Hyzon, emphasized the collective commitment to decarbonization shared by PFG, Hyzon, and the state of California. “Putting these zero-emission trucks on the road marks an important step toward decarbonization goals shared by PFG, Hyzon, and the state of California,” said Meeks. “Our fuel cell technology will help Vistar’s heavy-duty trucking operations operate emission-free and with reduced noise pollution. We are deeply grateful for our partnership with PFG, as it helps to further our collective goals to reduce carbon emissions from heavy-duty trucking.
Meeks further added, “The deployment of these vehicles is a major milestone for Hyzon’s industry-leading technology, and through this partnership, we expect to gain valuable insight through real-world operations. Further, we expect that this intelligence will help us to optimize our technology while working simultaneously to develop the next-generation 200kW fuel cell system.”
Hyzon’s hydrogen FCEVs boast an impressive travel range of up to 350 miles and a rapid refueling time of just fifteen minutes. PFG plans to integrate these vehicles into its fleet, deploying them to deliver snacks, candy, and beverages to customers. The hydrogen fueling will be facilitated by Pilot Travel Centers LLC, a prominent fuel and energy provider with the largest network of travel centers in North America.
The delivery follows six months after the initial announcement of the fuel cell electric vehicle agreement between Hyzon and PFG. Hyzon has made history as one of the first companies to deliver a heavy-duty fuel cell electric truck, commonly referred to as tractors, in the United States.
Jeff Williamson, Senior Vice President, Operations at PFG, emphasized the importance of sustainability in the essential service of food distribution. “Food distribution is an essential service and critical to the companies and communities we serve. As we look towards the future, it’s important for us to work towards sustainability goals and improve our transportation infrastructure,” said Williamson. “At PFG, we remain dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint and serving the Southern California region responsibly. We’re excited to have partners like Hyzon as we continue to demonstrate our commitment to being a good neighbor to every community we serve.”
Zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, like those delivered by Hyzon, offer comparable benefits and convenience to diesel trucks without the harmful emissions that deteriorate air quality and harm the environment. Fuel cell electric vehicles also present advantages over battery electric vehicles in terms of payload capacity, range, and refueling time, making them a natural choice for distribution and heavy-duty freight companies.
Vistar’s Fontana office, located in the San Bernardino suburb, has been actively transitioning away from diesel to reduce harmful emissions. The company previously collaborated with Hyzon on a successful demo of Hyzon’s Liquid Hydrogen FCEV through Temple, TX, covering a 16-hour continuous route of over 540 miles in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
With the successful delivery of the initial vehicles and pending a favorable trial with Hyzon’s next-generation 200kW FCEV, Hyzon and PFG are poised to collaborate on an agreement for 15 200kW FCEVs, with an option for an additional 30 FCEVs.
