AJR Trucking, a leading carrier for the United States Postal Service (USPS) and a major drayage carrier operating in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, has announced the purchase of 50 Nikola Tre hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) trucks from Tom’s Truck Centers. The deliveries are expected to take place between Q4 2023 and Q1 2024.
Tom’s Truck Centers, a member of the Nikola Corporation sales and service dealer network, will support AJR Trucking in securing its voucher application to the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) programme to receive $270,000 per FCEV in point-of-sale incentives. Additionally, AJR Trucking is expected to receive $40,000 in federal tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act.
AJR Trucking and Nikola are exploring the opportunities to deploy Nikola’s 700 bar mobile fueling solution at AJR Trucking properties in Compton, Calif. and Santa Clarita, Calif. to provide convenient and seamless fueling for the FCEVs. AJR Trucking expects to receive competitively priced hydrogen fuel delivered by Nikola to its terminals in support of the FCEV deployment.
“We are confident the future of trucking is zero-emissions, and based upon our operational needs, the Nikola Tre FCEVs were the only zero tailpipe emission vehicles that could meet our range, performance, and cost targets,” said Jack Khudikyan, owner of AJR Trucking.
AJR Trucking has been performing mail hauling operations for USPS for over 30 years and prides itself on being a leader in the deployment of the latest truck technology and supporting the advancement of alternatively fueled vehicles into its fleets.
AJR Trucking has a track record of investing in alternative fuels. The company pioneered some of the first compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks in operation for the USPS and placed the largest order for Class 8 battery-electric vehicles from Kenworth in 2022. Additionally, AJR Trucking has invested in an on-site CNG fueling station in partnership with US Gain at its facilities in Compton, Calif., where AJR has been making negative carbon intensity renewable natural gas available to its fleet and for public consumption.
