What is the Project?
Hydra Energy’s initiative, branded as HYDROGEN NOW, is a pioneering Hydrogen-as-a-Service™ (HAAS™) project that is taking a dynamic approach to decarbonizing the trucking industry. The company is the first to deliver commercial hydrogen-diesel, co-combustion trucks on the road—accelerating the transition to cleaner transport with a solution that connects low-carbon hydrogen supply and demand in an innovative, cost-effective way. This project offers fleet operators reliable, long-term, local, clean fuel contracts and helps partners profitably bring hydrogen to market at scale. It’s all about delivering cleaner fuel options for commercial trucks that significantly curb the impact of diesel emissions.
Main Benefit
Hydra Energy’s hydrogen-diesel combustion approach provides a low-cost, low-carbon trucking solution that is proven and ready for deployment. The benefits are straightforward and quite impressive:
- Stay competitive and optimize truck performance and fuel efficiency.
- Become energy independent with a reliable, long-term, local source of clean fuel.
- Decarbonize your fleet by up to 40% per truck today.
- Meet customers’ sustainable fleet requirements.
- Eliminate range anxiety through a seamless transition between hydrogen and diesel.
- Attract newer, younger drivers concerned about the environment.
Industry Vision
The vision behind this project is rooted in a deep understanding of the environmental challenges faced by the transportation industry. Back in 2012, the founders recognized the critical need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, focusing first on sectors that significantly contribute to the problem. Commercial trucks were identified as a major source of road-related emissions, and there was a clear opportunity to transform an untapped potential into a cleaner, more sustainable alternative. Hydra Energy’s approach not only addresses today’s challenges but also paves the way for a future where cleaner fuel solutions are an industry standard.
Technology Innovation
The innovative hydrogen-diesel combustion technology marks a significant milestone in clean fuel solutions for heavy-duty trucks. Unlike traditional diesel-only engines, this approach integrates low-carbon hydrogen into diesel combustion—a solution that is both affordable and immediately deployable. The technology has been rigorously tested with over 300,000 kilometers (185,000 miles) of on-road truck testing in demanding climates and challenging road conditions, proving its viability. Occasionally, the solution feels like a breath of fresh air… an inventive twist that makes it hard not to be intrigued. Additionally, Hydragas uses a nature-based solution, acting as a leading, innovative developer of renewable methane from Lake Kivu in Africa, which brings an extra layer of sustainability and global impact to the overall energy strategy.
Our Leadership and Partnerships
The leadership team behind the initiative is comprised of individuals with extensive industry knowledge and a passion for innovation: Badr Abduljawad serves as Co-Founder, Chief Innovation Officer, and Interim CEO, supported by Jo Borck as Chief Technology Officer, Tyson Whyte as Director of Technology and Training, Patrick Steiche as Director of Innovation, and Michael Karpinski-Leydier as Machine Learning Lead. The Board of Directors further reinforces the project’s strong governance with Ghassan Abduljawad, Badr Abduljawad, and Dan O’Brien contributing their expertise. This project’s success is also underpinned by critical partnerships with industry, government, and funding bodies, making the Hydrogen-as-a-Service model possible. The collaboration across these different sectors underscores a shared commitment to clean energy and advanced technological innovation.
The Broad Scope of the Solution
This initiative offers more than just a temporary fix for greenhouse gas emissions—it provides a scalable, immediate solution to a longstanding problem. Hydra Energy is serving commercial fleets in British Columbia and Alberta while actively building a Western Canadian Hydrogen Corridor. The approach is not only a cost-effective transition to cleaner trucking; it also highlights the potential for a global revolution in hydrogen trucking. The alignment of industry needs with advanced innovation creates a momentum that propels both local and international clean energy strategies. It’s a project where technology meets sustainability, sparking interest among policymakers and private sector stakeholders alike.
Project Impact
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Providing a reliable, clean fuel alternative for diesel trucks.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – Pioneering a scalable hydrogen-diesel combustion system.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Supporting cleaner air and more sustainable transport networks.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a lower carbon footprint.
Looking Forward
The future of hydrogen transportation is filled with promise and momentum. With its unique approach that transforms traditional diesel engines into cleaner, more cost-effective powerhouses, Hydra Energy is setting the stage for an evolution in heavy-duty transport that is both practical and environmentally responsible. The project’s focus on immediate impacts—such as reducing emissions today by up to 40% per truck—demonstrates an actionable shift in the transportation paradigm. By fully leveraging decades of industry expertise and combining it with groundbreaking technologies (and yes, even a little casual innovation here and there…), the project is not only supporting sustainable fleet operations today, but also paving the way for an expansive, global transition towards cleaner, energy-independent transport solutions. The strategic alliances with hydrogen producers to scale production further underscore a commitment to a reliable, long-term clean fuel infrastructure. In essence, this project stands as a testament to what can be achieved when innovation meets environmental responsibility, inspiring a cleaner future for commercial trucking worldwide.
