Nikola Corporation, a leader in zero-emissions transportation, celebrated a significant milestone with IMC, the largest marine drayage company in the U.S., by unveiling the design of its fleet of 50 Nikola hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks. This event took place at the grand opening of IMC’s sustainable facility in Compton, marking the continuation of a strategic partnership initiated in early 2023 aimed at decarbonizing the drayage sector.
The initiative features the deployment of the Wiggins Yard eBull battery electric forklift, a 55,000-pound capacity vehicle capable of lifting up to 25 metric tons, making it one of the largest electric forklifts in the United States. This equipment is part of a broader effort to introduce six net-zero pieces of construction equipment at the port over the next 12 to 18 months.
Nikola’s collaboration with IMC represents a significant step forward in sustainable transportation within the intermodal industry. Steve Girsky, Nikola’s President and CEO, emphasized the company’s commitment to leading the transition to zero-emissions alongside IMC. The acquisition of the 50 Nikola hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, facilitated through Tom’s Truck Centers in the Nikola sales and service dealer network, showcases IMC’s dedication to innovation and sustainability in drayage operations.
IMC has already received the first batch of 10 trucks in the fourth quarter of 2023, with an additional 10 trucks expected this month and the remainder by the end of 2024. This move aligns with impending California regulations that require all new drayage trucks registered in the state to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, positioning Nikola’s hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles as a viable solution for the industry’s sustainable future.
The partnership between Nikola and IMC, supported by incentives through California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) and the Port of Los Angeles’ Clean Truck Fund Rate, underscores the collaborative efforts required to achieve significant advancements in zero-emission transportation and infrastructure solutions.
