Quick Takeaways
- This pilot tests hydrogen fuel cell drayage trucks in real-world, high-intensity port logistics.
- The initiative aims to cut short-haul freight emissions while building hydrogen infrastructure know-how.
Recently, New Jersey has taken a significant step toward cleaner freight movement with a new initiative focused on hydrogen-powered drayage trucks operating at the Port Newark Container Terminal. The project is supported by public funding and is designed to evaluate how hydrogen fuel cell technology can perform in demanding, real-world port logistics environments while supporting long-term clean transportation objectives.
USD 13 Million Hydrogen-Powered Drayage Trucks Initiative
The program is backed by USD 13 million in funding from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and is being led by the Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation. The core objective is to assess whether hydrogen-powered drayage trucks can reliably move cargo within one of the busiest port ecosystems in the United States while reducing emissions associated with short-haul freight transport.
Deployment of Fuel Cell Trucks in Live Port Operations
As part of the pilot, six Hyundai Xcient fuel cell heavy-duty trucks will be introduced into daily operations at Port Newark. These vehicles will be used to transport containers under normal working conditions, allowing project partners to gather operational, performance, and infrastructure data linked to hydrogen-powered drayage trucks in a high-utilization setting.
Phased Rollout and Infrastructure Planning
Truck deployment and testing are expected to begin in early 2026. The one-year program will be executed in clearly defined phases, starting with vehicle procurement, securing hydrogen supply, and planning the design of a dedicated hydrogen fueling site. This phased approach ensures technical readiness before full-scale operational testing begins.
Key phases include:
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration to Strengthen Supply Chains
The initiative brings together academic institutions, utilities, technology providers, vehicle manufacturers, and port authorities. By combining expertise across transportation, energy, and infrastructure, the project aims to improve supply-chain efficiency while building practical knowledge around hydrogen-powered drayage trucks. Officials involved believe the pilot could help position New Jersey as a national center for hydrogen innovation within the freight and logistics sector.
USD 13 Million Hydrogen-Powered Drayage Trucks Initiative
The program is backed by USD 13 million in funding from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and is being led by the Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation. The core objective is to assess whether hydrogen-powered drayage trucks can reliably move cargo within one of the busiest port ecosystems in the United States while reducing emissions associated with short-haul freight transport.
Deployment of Fuel Cell Trucks in Live Port Operations
As part of the pilot, six Hyundai Xcient fuel cell heavy-duty trucks will be introduced into daily operations at Port Newark. These vehicles will be used to transport containers under normal working conditions, allowing project partners to gather operational, performance, and infrastructure data linked to hydrogen-powered drayage trucks in a high-utilization setting.
Phased Rollout and Infrastructure Planning
Truck deployment and testing are expected to begin in early 2026. The one-year program will be executed in clearly defined phases, starting with vehicle procurement, securing hydrogen supply, and planning the design of a dedicated hydrogen fueling site. This phased approach ensures technical readiness before full-scale operational testing begins.
Key phases include:
- Procurement of hydrogen fuel cell trucks
- Establishment of hydrogen supply logistics
- Design and setup of port-based fueling infrastructure
- Real-world operational testing and performance evaluation
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration to Strengthen Supply Chains
The initiative brings together academic institutions, utilities, technology providers, vehicle manufacturers, and port authorities. By combining expertise across transportation, energy, and infrastructure, the project aims to improve supply-chain efficiency while building practical knowledge around hydrogen-powered drayage trucks. Officials involved believe the pilot could help position New Jersey as a national center for hydrogen innovation within the freight and logistics sector.
Share: