BlackRock Inc., Daimler Truck Holding AG and NextEra Energy Inc. aim to spend $650 million to build and operate battery charging and hydrogen refueling stations for trucks across the U.S.
The companies agreed to collaborate on building a U.S. network of charging sites on critical freight routes along the east and west coasts and in Texas by 2026, according to a statement issued Monday. Each company will contribute equally for the proposed joint venture, with construction starting next year.
The plan will initially focus on electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, followed by hydrogen fueling stations for fuel-cell trucks, with sites also available for cars. The support for both batteries and hydrogen fuel cells sidesteps the simmering debate on which of the two technologies is best equipped to replace diesel engines in trucks.
