J.B. Hunt to Purchase Nikola Class 8 Zero-Emission Trucks to Reduce Fleet CO2 Emissions
J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., one of the largest supply chain solutions provider in North America, announced today that its J.B. Hunt Transport subsidiary will acquire 13 of Nikola zero-emission Class 8 trucks, reflecting the transport giant’s commitment to minimizing its carbon footprint.
“These zero-emission trucks from Nikola advance our progress towards achieving our ambitious goal to reduce carbon emission intensity through viable solutions.”, said Nick Hobbs, Chief Operating Officer and President of Contract Services at J.B. Hunt.
The purchase comprises 10 Nikola Tre BEV battery-electric and three Tre FCEV hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, with the first deliveries expected in August 2023. The trucks will be strategically deployed in facilities along J.B. Hunt’s key routes, specifically in Los Angeles California and Phoenix, Arizona. HYLA, Nikola’s hydrogen subsidiary, will provide the hydrogen supply and fueling infrastructure to J.B. Hunt.
With an ambitious target to curb carbon emissions by 32% by 2034, based on November 2022 levels, J.B. Hunt says that it is committed to driving the industry towards a low-carbon future.
The transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990–2021, transportation accounted for the largest portion (29%) of total U.S. GHG emissions in 2021. Medium- and heavy-duty trucks contribute 23% of GHG emissions within the U.S. transportation sector, among light duty vehicles, trains, aircraft, and ships and boats.
J.B. Hunt was one of the first companies to place an order for an all-electric heavy-duty Class 8 truck with its Tesla Semi reservation when the truck was announced in 2017. The supply chain giant began incorporating EVs into operations in 2023.
In addition to electrified freight transport, J.B. Hunt is helping reduce carbon emissions through intermodal conversion. Over the past decade, sustainability-driven actions in J.B. Hunt’s intermodal service has helped avoid an estimated 30 million metric tons of CO2e emissions from over-the-road truck transportation.
In addition to its electric truck investments, J.B. Hunt is also supporting sustainable initiatives such as reducing engine idle time, governing top speed limits, converting over-the-road shipments to intermodal, engineering fleet routes that maximize efficiency, and using biodiesel fuels when possible.
There is increasing focus on reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector and the national, state and local level. California recently passed legislation banning the sale of gas and diesel trucks by 2036. Trucks account for over 35% of the state’s transportation-generated nitrogen oxide emissions and a quarter of the state’s on-road greenhouse gas emissions.
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