Nikola hydrogen trucks will help transport Captain Morgan rum in Illinois

DHL Supply Chain, the U.S. logistics arm of DHL, and alcoholic beverage manufacturer Diageo North America have announced the start of operation of two Nikola hydrogen trucks in the United States. These fuel cell-powered haulers will become part of the fleet at Diageo's Plainfield, Illinois campus.

The hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks are part of a broader sustainable supply chain strategy that includes the use of battery electric vehicles, optimising vehicle and route utilisation, moving towards multi-modal transport and greater use of US EPA SmartWay environmentally responsible logistics partner carriers.

Nikola trucks use fuel cell technology to convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity that powers the vehicle's electric motors. On a single fill-up, such a truck can travel up to 500 miles (800 km) without emitting any pollutants into the atmosphere. The only by-product of the fuel cell system is pure water. Replacing the two diesel trucks with fuel cell electric vehicles is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent within a year.

This is not the first green logistics collaboration between DHL and Diageo: in 2015, Diageo launched the first electric terminal tractor in the US at its Plainfield campus. The electric trucks now travel to many Diageo and DHL facilities in North America.

Source: Diageo