Renewable hydrogen project company Countrywide Hydrogen and Walkinshaw Automotive Group will consider the development of hydrogen-based trucks and prime movers for the Australian market.
Related article: Countrywide and 7R Logistics to decarbonise Tas trucking
With Countrywide Hydrogen targeting first hydrogen production in H1, 2025 in Tasmania, and road transport operators committing to transition from diesel to zero-emission fuel cell trucks (powered by green hydrogen), one missing jigsaw piece is the availability of fuel cell trucks in Australia from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), preferred by road transport operators and financiers.
Fuel cell trucks are currently available due to the massive scale of the left-hand-drive (LHD) markets in Europe and North America. No right-hand-drive (RHD) trucks are currently available in Australia. Countrywide and Walkinshaw are aiming to cater to this market opportunity in Australia.
Countrywide Hydrogen and Walkinshaw have signed a binding agreement to work together with a view to delivering RHD fuel cell trucks throughout Australia with Countrywide building and Walkinshaw supplying the market. The two parties will explore the importation of LHD fuel cell trucks to then convert them to RHD. Walkinshaw is currently delivering 70 such conversions a day with RAM and Silverado in the 4WD ute category, working directly with multiple OEMs. Another option will be securing truck bodies without an engine or drive train to be fitted out with the commercially available Toyota fuel cell and electric drive train.
Countrywide managing director Geoffrey Drucker said, “This partnership with Walkinshaw will help to fast track the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell trucks across Australia, and follows our agreement to supply green hydrogen trucks to 7R Logistics to transition their Tasmanian fleet from diesel to zero-emission fuel cell trucks.
“This project has an added benefit to the Australian economy as it complements the federal government’s goal to rebuild the nation’s manufacturing especially where it has a positive clean energy impact.”
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Walkinshaw Group managing director Joel Stoddart said, “At Walkinshaw Group, we are constantly looking at ways to use our expertise to expand our range on business, which is why we are extremely excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Countrywide Hydrogen to determine the potential for development of hydrogen-based truck and prime movers for the Australian market. We’re also thrilled that the opportunity could extend through exports to other right hand drive nations such as New Zealand and South Africa.”
