Two state governments have pledged $10 million each to support hydrogen trucking.
A joint grant initiative for a total of $20 million via the New South Wales and Victorian Governments will see the construction of at least four hydrogen refuelling stations along the 804-kilometre Hume Highway which connects Melbourne and Sydney. It will also support the development of approximately 25 hydrogen-powered trucks.
Energy Minister for New South Wales, Matt Kean, said the initiative will help to transition the freight sector to zero emissions energy sources, as well as create jobs and draw investment to the two states.
With transportation representing the country’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, both states see the project as a way to meaningfully reduce emissions while remaining cost competitive.
Victoria’s Minister for Energy and Minister for Environment and Climate Action, Lily D’Ambrosio, said transport accounts for 25 per cent of Victoria’s carbon emissions.
“Australia’s busiest corridor is the perfect place to kickstart the transition to a zero-emission freight sector,” she said, adding the project would be a “landmark step towards meeting Victoria’s target to halve emissions by 2030 as we work towards net-zero by 2050.”
Queensland is expected to become the third state to collaborate on the project by 2026, focusing on the Hume Highway, the Pacific Highway and the Newell Highway.
In other news, Viva Energy is partnering with Air Liquide on a hydrogen refuelling project.