Copec opens Chile's first hydrogen station for heavy trucks

Empresas Copec and Walmart Chile inaugurated the country's first hydrogen refueling station designed for heavy-duty cargo trucks. The facility is located at Walmart Chile's distribution center in Quilicura. The project stems from a public-private partnership developed since 2024 alongside Marval Clean Logistics, IEE, and Mining3 Chile, with co-financing from Corfo through the Hidrohaul Technological Program awarded in 2023.

Copec led the station's implementation and contributed its distribution network experience. Walmart Chile supplied the site, logistics operations, and surplus green hydrogen from its on-site production plant. The facility can refuel empty truck tanks in roughly 20 minutes, offering vehicles more than 600 kilometers of range. The operational technology is projected to avoid 380 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to taking about 83 gasoline cars off the road for a year.

During the launch, the station completed its first fuel transfer to supply a truck operated by Marval Clean Logistics. Starting in October 2026, the vehicle will conduct scheduled deliveries across the Metropolitan Region, Valparaíso, and Rancagua as part of a two-truck pilot. Marval will operate the fleet to evaluate performance across regional transport routes.

Arturo Natho, CEO of Copec S.A., noted that the company has accompanied Chile's development for 91 years and that this first hydrogen station for heavy cargo reflects permanent innovation to decarbonize heavy transport alongside its strategic partner, Walmart Chile.