The demand for clean energy-powered fleets has been growing rapidly throughout the transportation sector. As momentum increases, the need to develop infrastructure to support emerging technology will need to be in place before fleet deployments. Ecosystems like the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ) are investing in creating the right relationships and resources to accelerate the availability of alternative fuel sources for new mobility solutions. By convening leading service providers in renewable energy solutions such as hydrogen, electric and natural gas, along with prominent manufacturers like LG Electronics Charging, Cummins Clean Fuels, and MP Materials, the MIZ is at the forefront of the clean energy transition, underlining its commitment to sustainable and innovative energy solutions.
Developing Texas’ First EV Fleet Charging Hub
Last year, Gage Zero LLC, an Austin-based fleet electrification solutions company, committed $300 million toward developing charging infrastructure sites for medium- and heavy-duty (M/HD) electric fleets across North America. Gage Zero is working with Hillwood to build Texas’ first public commercial fleet EV charging facility built with trucks in mind. Projects like this will serve as a blueprint for how fleets nationwide can collaborate with clean energy developers to reduce emissions and meet sustainability goals without having to upgrade their warehousing and distribution facilities.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Medium and Heavy Duty (M/HD) fleets account for almost 25% of the transportation sector’s emissions. The AllianceTexas M/HD charging hub will cater to trucks and last-mile fleets, which is crucial to establishing a robust and accessible electrified fleet charging network in Texas. Gage Zero specifically selected AllianceTexas as the site for their facility because of its proximity to major freight infrastructure assets such as the BNSF Alliance Intermodal Hub, Perot Field Alliance Airport, and Interstate 35W, as well as working with Hillwood, a forward-thinking real estate development company delivering innovation solutions to their customers.
“This groundbreaking initiative exemplifies our unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable infrastructure solutions that prioritize our customers’ needs,” said Russell Laughlin, Executive Vice President of Hillwood. Gage Zero will develop and operate the AllianceTexas EV charging hub as part of its network of sites throughout the U.S., addressing current transportation needs and future resiliency challenges.
Creating a Hydrogen Fueling Network
As part of an initiative to build five hydrogen fueling stations across Texas, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) was awarded $70 million to identify and build stations in strategically located sites throughout the Texas Triangle. The AllianceTexas MIZ has been selected as a critical site for one of the five proposed hydrogen fueling stations slated to be developed across the state
“Given the amount of truck traffic that passes through the Texas Triangle, securing fueling stations for the entire area helps trucking companies invest in converting to hydrogen,” said a spokesperson for the NCTCOG. Collectively, these stations will create a hydrogen fueling network for medium- to heavy-duty freight trucks, significantly enhancing the feasibility and attractiveness of hydrogen as a clean fuel alternative for freight companies operating in the region.
Carbon-Negative Fuel Expands to North Texas
AllianceTexas is strategically located within one of the biggest transportation regions, making it ideal for renewable natural gas (RNG) fueling stations. Recently, Clean Energy Fuels Corp., the country’s largest provider of the cleanest fuel on the transportation market, announced the opening of two new fueling stations in North Fort Worth and South Dallas. The two stations will expand Clean Energy’s vast network of fueling stations across the U.S. and Canada.
The North Fort Worth station is purposefully located near Alliance and DFW airports and dozens of distribution centers to provide heavy-duty trucks and fleet vehicles quick and easy access to a fuel that offers a similar convenience to diesel but receives a carbon-negative rating, making it one of the cleanest fuels in the world. This station is equipped with multiple fast-fill fuel dispensers and offers 82 private overnight fueling posts, establishing RNG as a cost-effective and efficient solution for fleet operators.
Creating a Fully Domestic Supply Chain
When it comes to electric vehicle production, re-shoring critical magnetic materials to the U.S. is vital for the future of electrification and smart technologies. MP Materials, a leader in the production of rare earth metals, built a first-of-its-kind rare earth magnetics factory at the AllianceTexas MIZ. The factory produces magnets for EV motors by converting raw materials into finished goods, allowing MP Materials to fully restore an end-to-end supply chain within the United States. With transportation infrastructure deeply integrated into the landscape, a highly skilled and reliable workforce and abundant industrial capabilities, AllianceTexas was an ideal choice for MP Materials.
Entering a New Era of EV Growth and Manufacturing
In January, LG Electronics opened its first U.S. factory to assemble EV charging stations in Fort Worth, expanding to meet the varied needs of customers, especially those operating in commercial travel and long-distance transportation. The 100,000-square-foot plant signals a new era of innovation in North Texas and the growth of America’s EV charging infrastructure.
“This is a great day for Fort Worth,” Mayor Parker said, celebrating LG’s choice to establish its U.S. manufacturing base for EV chargers in the city. The facility will open new opportunities for businesses, municipalities and other public places to support the growing number of EVs on the road, create new jobs and reinforce AllianceTexas as an innovation and manufacturing hub of the future.
The Future Starts With Infrastructure
AllianceTexas is more than just a hub for logistics and mobility; it is a catalyst for clean energy innovation. Today, AllianceTexas is committed to fueling clean fleets with advanced hydrogen and EV charging stations while simultaneously preparing for tomorrow by powering the manufacturing of these technologies. Hillwood empowers industry leaders such as MP Materials, LG, and Cummins Clean Fuel to ensure that the infrastructure and innovation needed for a sustainable future are not just envisioned but realized.
With new hydrogen fueling stations, Texas’ first fleet EV charging hub, and a host of renewable energy solutions, the MIZ is leading the charge toward a sustainable future. This convergence of cutting-edge infrastructure and visionary projects positions AllianceTexas as a trailblazer in renewable energy solutions, setting a benchmark for others to follow.
