Energy
Chile launches its first heavy-duty hydrogen station
Walmart Chile and Copec have opened the country's inaugural heavy-duty hydrogen refueling station at Quilicura.
Key points
- The facility connects onsite green hydrogen production to a logistics pilot.
- Two high-tonnage trucks are involved in the Corfo-backed Hidrohaul program.
- The project was officially opened at a distribution centre on 30 September 2026.
What happened
Walmart Chile and Copec have launched Chile's first hydrogen refueling station designed for heavy-duty vehicles, according to Hydrogen Fuel News. Located at the Quilicura distribution centre, the facility commenced operations on 30 September 2026.
The project links local green hydrogen production directly with a two-truck pilot scheme. The initiative operates under the Corfo-backed Hidrohaul technological programme, utilizing Marval Clean Logistics as the transport operator.
Why it matters
Heavy-duty transport decarbonisation remains a complex challenge for freight networks globally. Integrating onsite green hydrogen generation with high-tonnage commercial fleets offers a practical model for testing zero-emission logistics in supply chains.
According to World Bank figures from 2021, Chile's renewable share of electricity output stood at 48.1 percent, providing a foundational energy mix for green hydrogen developments. The country's electricity use per person reached 4,347.8 kWh in 2025, outpacing the global average of 3,708.5 kWh recorded in 2024.
What comes next
The initial phase relies on the two-truck pilot to evaluate the operational viability of the Quilicura refueling infrastructure. Data gathered from the Hidrohaul programme will likely inform future scaling decisions for commercial hydrogen transport in the region.
Original reporting
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