Velocity Truck Centres made two announcements aimed at improving and expanding service in Prince George yesterday.
Their two BCR Site locations, Prince George Western Star and Prince George Freightliner, will merge into a single 29-technician bay facility on Great Street.
One of those bays will be Prince George and northern BC’s first hydrogen/CNG service bay, which is set to open at the end of summer.
Rod Graham, the President of Velocity Truck Centres, said Prince George is “perfectly situated” for this kind of investment.
“Take a look at where pipelines flow through, railway, air connectivity, and it is the center of the corridor from Edmonton to Prince Rupert,” he explained. “There can’t be a better location for a centre of excellence.”
“It is an opportunity for folks to think about what is going to happen over the next couple decades from a career perspective,” Graham said. “I look at climate, range anxiety, and the opportunity for allowing a portfolio of greener fuels to develop. To go into this hydrogen business, you are going to need some place where proficient, competent technicians can fix the trucks you are driving. Right now that doesn’t exist.”
Funding for the hydrogen bay was provided by Innovate BC.
Graham added the City of Prince George, who have been all-in on hydrogen projects in the last couple of years, have also provided “lots of support.”
The specialized bay will give new and existing technicians the chance to earn tickets to work on hydrogen powered vehicles, Velocity has plans to partner with CNC to streamline that process.
“Senior executives sit on the advisory board with [CNC]… a curriculum is being developed that will allow for safe and competent understanding of clean tech fuels. It won’t just be one, it will be a mosaic,” Graham said.
They intend on giving students hands-on experience at their shop, emulating a system they have in place with the North Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton.
Velocity also has an in-house training program that existing technicians can take.
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