Rutgers Awarded $13M to Pilot Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks at Port Newark

Six heavy-duty green hydrogen trucks to support drayage operations in 2026 as New Jersey tests zero-emission freight technology

TRENTON — Rutgers University’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) has been awarded $13 million by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to lead a pilot project deploying hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks at Port Newark. The initiative is part of New Jersey’s broader effort to decarbonize transportation and modernize freight logistics.

The project will introduce six Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell heavy-duty trucks to support drayage operations—short-distance freight movement—at one of the East Coast’s busiest shipping terminals. These trucks will transport containers from the port to local warehouses and rail yards, replacing traditional diesel-powered drayage vehicles.

The demonstration project will proceed in phases, beginning with vehicle procurement, hydrogen fuel supply planning, and fueling station design. Truck deployment and operational testing are expected to begin in early 2026.

Rutgers CAIT, based in the School of Engineering, will manage project execution, performance tracking, and workforce development. The center will partner with Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), Hyundai Motor Company, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

“It’s about making New Jersey an R&D and workforce training hub for hydrogen-powered transportation,” said Ali Maher, director of Rutgers CAIT and principal investigator. “We’re demonstrating how hydrogen can be integrated into real-world transportation and logistics operations, and we will investigate its potential to drive down costs, improve performance, and support long-term economic growth. This type of applied research is critical to proving the use cases of innovative technology and paving the way for its implementation.”

PSEG will oversee fueling operations, while CTE and Rutgers will jointly collect performance data on existing drayage operations and set benchmarks for the new zero-emission fleet. After deployment, the trucks will operate under real-world conditions for 12 months, with key performance indicators (KPIs) tracked to assess the benefits and limitations of green hydrogen technology.

At the conclusion of the pilot, the team will publish data on fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, and logistical effectiveness. The findings will help inform future public and private investments in hydrogen-powered transportation infrastructure.

Port Newark, a critical hub for containerized cargo in the Northeast, serves as an ideal test site due to its high volume of short-haul freight and concentrated emissions. Drayage trucks operating from the port are typically used exclusively for short-range transport, making them prime candidates for zero-emission technology.

This project marks a significant step in New Jersey’s efforts to establish itself as a leader in advanced transportation solutions while addressing both environmental and economic development goals.