A conglomerate of major energy and automotive brands has announced that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed to jointly develop hydrogen refilling infrastructure on the path to more zero emission vehicle fuelling solutions winds its slow, inexorable way to some form of reality.
The companies, Ampol, Hyundai Australia, Pacific Energy and Toyota Australia have signed the MoU, saying the agreement brings together four like-minded companies that are ‘all leading proponents of Australia’s growing hydrogen economy and demonstrates a commitment to work together to build a more sustainable future.to jointly develop hydrogen refuelling infrastructure’.
Both Hyundai and Toyota currently have fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) fleets operating in Australia today, while Ampol and Pacific Energy are heavily investing in energy solutions to support customers through the energy transition.
The goal of the MOU according to the companies, is to combine the expertise and capabilities of each of the partners to help develop hydrogen refuelling stations for FCEVs in Canberra.
Ampol Managing Director and CEO, Matt Halliday, said that hydrogen can play an important role in delivering decarbonisation benefits for transport and developing the right infrastructure to support a successful rollout is key.
“The MOU establishes a collaborative working relationship between the parties, who are all required to develop the necessary hydrogen ecosystem to make hydrogen use as a transport fuel feasible,” Halliday said.
Hyundai Australia CEO, Ted Lee said that in 2021, Hyundai deployed 23 NEXO Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles into Canberra as a partner in the ACT Government’s hydrogen station project becoming the first hydrogen refueler of its kind in Australia.
“Our consortium partners have a great track record of deploying energy and refuelling infrastructure, along with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Hyundai looks forward to working with our experienced partner companies and the broader government and business community in the ACT to help the transition to a cleaner and greener transport future,” said Lee.
Pacific Energy CEO, Jamie Cullen, said the company was pleased to be a part of the consortium of like-minded organisations, which he said is driven to decarbonise the transport sector and make Australia’s H2 ecosystem a success.
“Our purpose at Pacific Energy is to transition the world to a clean energy future. To be successful, we know we must collectively lean into bold opportunities that help accelerate our journey towards net zero, and we know hydrogen and zero emissions vehicles play an important role in this approach,” said Jamie Cullen,
Toyota Australia President and CEO, Matthew Callachor, said that since 2018, Toyota has been expanding its hydrogen capability in Australia, first with local trials of the Mirai FCEV sedan and then with the establishment of Victoria’s first hydrogen production, storage and refuelling facility.
“This month, we announced plans to locally assemble and distribute the EODev GEH2 fuel cell generator in Australia and this joint collaboration announced today provides further opportunities to explore and grow this vital technology,” said Callachor.
