New Way Trucks along with Hyzon and Recology showcased North America鈥檚 first hydrogen fuel cell electric refuse truck to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla. The vehicle display was part of a landmark clean energy event hosted by the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) to celebrate the official award of a $12.6 billion investment to create a Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub in California.
“Hydrogen is the Swiss army knife of energy sources and that’s critically important,” said U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary for Infrastructure David Crane. “The best, most durable use of hydrogen is for heavy-duty transportation. Today’s event is a thrill for all of us in the Department of Energy and for everyone in the hydrogen space.”
“I’m proud to be here with so many great partners,” said California Gov. Gavin Newsom. “This is part of the most significant economic and industrial policy in our lifetime. It’s not just about growth, it’s about inclusion.”
“Today is an opportunity for the public to see the promise for hydrogen’s future,” said U.S Sen. Alex Padilla. “You see what’s possible not in the far future, but today. Under the leadership of ARCHES we have the opportunity to catalyze the whole hydrogen economy. From our ports to our cities, ARCHES is truly a statewide project whose benefits will deliver for everybody. Today is just the beginning and we’re excited for what’s ahead”
鈥淭oday, we see not only North America鈥檚 first hydrogen-powered refuse truck but also the critical role government plays in making these innovations a reality. When government steps up, the private sector responds, and today is proof of that,鈥� said Hyzon Chief Executive Officer Parker Meeks. 鈥淎RCHES鈥� massive commitment demonstrates how public investment can drive private sector action, accelerating our ability to scale decarbonization efforts now.鈥�
Backed by $1.2 billion in federal funding and $11.4 billion in public and private investments, ARCHES is spearheading one of the most ambitious hydrogen infrastructure projects in the U.S. Under the agreement, ARCHES plans to facilitate a network of clean, renewable hydrogen production sites, including 60 heavy-duty fueling stations and 165 miles of open-access pipelines, to enable the decarbonization of more than 5,000 fuel cell electric trucks. This includes the fuel cell electric refuse collection truck built in partnership between Hyzon and New Way, which is in its first customer trial with Recology. The three companies鈥� collaboration begins the decarbonization of one of the most demanding industries and makes hydrogen fuel cell electric refuse collection a reality for North America.
鈥淭his hydrogen-powered refuse collection vehicle is being designed to best meet the needs of waste haulers and kickstart the transition to clean energy by partners who are best positioned to champion advanced, alternative sustainable solutions across the waste and recycling industry,鈥� said Mike McLaughlin, CEO of McLaughlin Family Companies, the parent company of New Way Trucks.
With about 140,000 refuse trucks currently operating across the U.S., this demonstration signals a critical shift toward zero-emission solutions in a challenging application. Hyzon鈥檚 expertise is central to the creation of the clean energy refuse truck, which integrates high-performance hydrogen fuel cell systems to power demanding urban operations, offering environmental benefits and operational efficiency.
Clean energy initiatives have a champion in Washington, D.C.-based National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA). NWRA President and CEO Michael E. Hoffman said, 鈥淭he waste industry was an earlier adopter of alternative fuels with more than 30 percent of the routed fleet converted on its own initiative without mandates or subsidies. NWRA, representing nearly three-quarters of the industry, can and will lead vocational fleets to advance emissions reductions while still meeting the daily demands of this essential service, bringing our workers home safely every day and delivering sustainable waste management solutions to our communities and customers.鈥�
鈥淭rue progress is possible when government and industry work hand in hand. Recology intends to do its part to help the waste recovery industry transition to a zero-emission future,鈥� said Recology CEO Salvatore M. Coniglio.
Today鈥檚 demonstration also underscored ARCHES鈥� leading role in deploying hydrogen energy solutions to address emissions challenges in traditionally hard-to-decarbonize sectors. As one of seven hydrogen hubs across the country selected for investment by the DOE, ARCHES is projected to create 220,000 direct jobs, including 130,000 in construction and 90,000 permanent positions. 鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful to Secretary Granholm and the Department of Energy for their leadership in the transition to clean hydrogen,鈥� Meeks concluded.