Nestlé Purina PetCare has initiated its first zero-tailpipe-emission delivery service using a hydrogen fuel cell electric semi-truck in California. The company, working with The Kenan Advantage Group (KAG) and Nikola Corporation, is using the vehicle to transport products between three Californian cities of Stockton, Maricopa, and Modesto.
The Class 8 Nikola hydrogen fuel cell electric semi-truck has a maximum range of 500 miles and can be refueled in under 20 minutes. According to Nikola, each truck potentially reduces co2 tailpipe emissions by 97 metric tonnes annually, equivalent to removing 23 passenger vehicles from the road for a year.
Travis Krous, Purina Senior Director of Supply Chain Operations, stated: “We are continuously identifying new opportunities within our business and through partnerships to help us meet our sustainability goals. This truck represents an exciting opportunity to test new technology and determine if it’s feasible to scale.”
The initiative brings together multiple stakeholders in the transportation and consumer goods sectors. Tyler Coventry, Executive Vice President of KAG Food Products, said: “We’re excited to transport products on our first hydrogen fuel cell truck while helping our valued customer and partner, Purina, drive its sustainability goals forward.”
Steve Girsky, Nikola president and CEO, added: “We are proud to support Purina’s sustainability initiatives by supplying KAG with its first-ever hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 8 truck.”
Additional sustainability efforts
Beyond transportation, Purina is implementing other environmental initiatives:
- Solar drying technology for clay used in cat litter production at its Maricopa factory
- Transitioning to 100% recycled content in Tidy Cats litter jugs by year-end
- Introducing refill bags to reduce plastic waste
The company’s manufacturing strategy emphasises regional production and distribution to minimise long-distance transportation requirements.
