Hydrogen Truck Rollout Faces Regulatory Hurdles Despite Promising US Partnership

Strategic Partnership for Zero-Emission Trucks

Australian clean technology company Pure Hydrogen Corporation Limited has taken a significant step in expanding its footprint in the North American heavy vehicle market. The company announced it has executed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with GTS Group, a leading California-based truck distributor and leasing operator, to support the rollout of hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles across the region.

This partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission trucks in sectors traditionally reliant on diesel, such as logistics, construction, and waste management. GTS Group intends to purchase Pure Hydrogen’s Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell tractors and a range of rigid trucks designed for waste collection and concrete mixing, integrating them into its leasing program for fleet operators.

Delivery and Demonstration Plans

The first Class 8 Heavy Duty 6x4 SOT Tractor is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2025. GTS plans to use this vehicle in customer demonstrations and roadshows, providing prospective fleet operators with hands-on experience of hydrogen fuel cell technology’s capabilities and benefits. A second demonstration vehicle, a 6x4 hydrogen-powered waste collection truck, is expected by mid-2026, targeting a key sector for zero-emission adoption.

These demonstrations are critical for showcasing the practical advantages of hydrogen trucks, including fast refuelling times, strong payload capacity, and significantly lower operational emissions compared to diesel counterparts. They also serve as a tangible step toward meeting increasing regulatory and customer demands for sustainable transport solutions.

Conditions and Market Context

The LOI is subject to several conditions precedent, including successful technical due diligence, compliance with the US Department of Transportation standards, and the negotiation of definitive agreements. These steps ensure that the vehicles meet stringent safety and operational requirements before entering the market.

Pure Hydrogen’s Managing Director, Scott Brown, highlighted the momentum building in the US market following a recent transaction with Riverview International Trucks. He emphasized that GTS Group’s extensive customer base and established leasing program provide a vital pathway to scale the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell trucks in one of the world’s largest commercial transport markets.

Implications for the Hydrogen Mobility Sector

The North American trucking industry represents a substantial opportunity for zero-emission technologies, driven by tightening regulations and growing sustainability commitments from fleet operators. Pure Hydrogen’s collaboration with GTS Group not only strengthens its market position but also signals increasing commercial viability for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in heavy-duty applications.

As the industry watches closely, the success of these demonstration vehicles and subsequent fleet integrations could pave the way for broader adoption, potentially reshaping the landscape of commercial transport emissions in North America.