Walmart Unveils Green Hydrogen Truck in Latin America

Walmart has made history by unveiling the first green hydrogen truck approved in Latin America, a major milestone that could redefine the future of freight logistics in the region. The 49-ton prototype, stationed at Walmart’s Santiago distribution hub in Chile, demonstrates that heavy transport can move beyond diesel. Built by Feichi Technology, the truck runs on a 120-kW fuel cell powered by 75 kilograms of green hydrogen, offering a 460-mile range while emitting only water. Its fuel is supplied by Latin America’s first industrial green hydrogen plant, a US$15 million electrolyzer powered by solar and wind energy and developed by Walmart and ENGIE in Quilicura.

Chile was chosen for this groundbreaking launch due to its world-class renewable resources—sun-rich Atacama Desert and wind-heavy Patagonia—alongside a strong National Green Hydrogen Strategy that targets 5 GW of electrolyzer capacity by 2030 and hydrogen exports by 2040. While infrastructure remains limited, with only a private refueling station currently operating, the government’s roadmap aims for 20 public hydrogen stations by 2028. This aligns with Walmart’s wider sustainability strategy, which includes cutting logistics emissions by 30% by 2030 and achieving net-zero operations globally by 2040.

If successful, this Chilean pilot could scale rapidly, with plans to grow to 25 trucks by 2028. Walmart’s regional presence—with nearly 3,000 outlets across Mexico and Central America and the largest private truck fleet in the region—positions it as a potential catalyst for hydrogen-powered logistics throughout Hispanic America. For the hydrogen industry, this marks a pivotal moment: if Walmart can prove hydrogen trucks viable in Chile, it validates both the technology and the infrastructure model, accelerating investment, cost reductions, and adoption across global supply chains.

This initiative not only signals the decline of diesel in heavy trucking but also highlights Latin America’s role as a proving ground for green hydrogen innovation. With Walmart’s investment and Chile’s renewable advantages, the path is set for hydrogen freight to expand from Santiago to ports like Valparaíso—and eventually across Mexico’s busiest trade corridors. One prototype may be small, but it carries an outsized message: the hydrogen economy is no longer theoretical; it is already on the road.

#GreenHydrogen #SustainableTransport #CleanEnergy #HydrogenEconomy #WalmartInnovation #FutureOfLogistics #walmart #FeichiTechnology