Long-haul zero-emission hydrogen-powered trucks are now in operation in Australia. With a range of 380 miles (600 km) and hauling gross weights ranging from 93,000 pounds (42 tonnes) to 155,000 pounds (70 tonnes), the new HDrive truck offers serious competition in the regional freight market. The HDrive TS70-300 model weighs in at an impressive 27,000 pounds (12.25 tonne), delivering 448 kw (600 hp).
Recently, Pure Hydrogen successfully registered Australia’s first hydrogen fuel cell prime mover in Queensland. The six-month trial will involve a 220kW (299hp) 6×2 prime mover with a lifting tag axle, which will go on trial with PepsiCo. It will only handle relatively light loads, hauling trailers loaded with potato crisps. The task it will cover is an urban low-mileage one; therefore, according to the company, it is only fitted with four hydrogen tanks.
PepsiCo Australia CEO Kyle Faulconer added: “We’re excited about the hydrogen potential in Australia, especially because it’s produced here and green, which is one of the key elements. This test wasn’t just the first for us in Australia – it was the first globally.”In Victoria, Barwon Water announced it had signed a sales agreement with HDrive for a hydrogen-powered prime mover, the first of its kind in Victoria. The truck is being purchased as part of the Viva Energy Hub hydrogen refueling station project, which received $34 million of ARENA funding and $1 million from the Victorian Government to support the construction of the station and the purchase of 12 hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles for diverse industry partners that would refuel there.
The Barwon Water hydrogen-powered truck will collect organic waste for recycling at our water reclamation plants.
Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer Wisdom developed the Taurus truck for PepsiCo in the Australian market. The Weichai-Ballard Joint Venture (WBJV) developed the fuel cell engine. Founded in 2019 in China, Wisdom is a technology company that designs and manufactures zero-emission commercial vehicles. In the three years since its inception, Wisdom has sold and delivered eight types of products and more than 230 vehicles to 13 regions.
The Wisdom company website in China claims a range of 600 miles (1,000 km) for some of its vehicles, which is attainable with the 12 145-litre hydrogen tanks—that’s 1,740 litres of hydrogen in total.
Pure Hydrogen has also agreed with ETHERO Truck + Energy to negotiate the distribution and supply of its vehicles into US markets. The memorandum of understanding with the Mechanicsville, Virginia-based multi-brand commercial electric truck dealer offers another strategic stateside entry point for Pure Hydrogen to sell Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric and Battery Electric vehicles.
