Copec to develop Chile’s first H2 stations for trucks

The green hydrogen station will be located at Walmart Chile’s distribution center.

Chilean fuel distributor Copec has joined the HidroHaul program, an initiative aimed at decarbonizing the logistics sector through hydrogen fuel cell technology. As part of this effort, Copec will lead the development of the country’s first green hydrogen refueling station for heavy-duty trucks.

This project, supported by the Green Hydrogen Technology Program (PTEC) and co-funded by CORFO, aims to promote hydrogen use. The station will be located at Walmart Chile’s distribution center, making it the country’s first refueling point for heavy-duty vehicles and the third high-pressure hydrogen station in South America.

“Green hydrogen is a promising tool for decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors like heavy freight transportation. This technology not only reduces emissions but also offers a viable solution for high-tonnage trucks without compromising performance or efficiency,” said Leonardo Ljubetic, Copec’s Development Division Manager.

The station, developed in collaboration with IEE, Mining3, Marval, and Walmart Chile, will provide fast and efficient fueling for trucks with a range of up to 750 kilometers. This pilot project seeks to optimize refueling times, ensure safe operations, and gather data to support future hydrogen infrastructure developments in Chile.