Australia inches closer to zero-emission fuel cell trucks

Countrywide Hydrogen, a subsidiary of ReNu Energy (ASX:RNU), and Walkinshaw Automotive Group have signed a letter agreement for the development of hydrogen powered trucks and prime movers for the Australian market.

Currently, left-hand-drive (LHD) fuel cell trucks are available in Europe and North America due to the scale of the markets, but no right-hand-drive (RHD) trucks are available in Australia.

Under the agreement, the companies will work together to access the feasibility of delivering RHD fuel cell trucks throughout the country. Countrywide will build the trucks while Walkinshaw will supply them to the market.

The companies will explore the importation of LHD fuel cell trucks and then convert them to RHD.

ReNu executive director and Countrywide managing director Geoffrey Ducker said the project complements the Federal Government’s goal of rebuilding the nations manufacturing.

“This partnership with Walkinshaw is aimed at fast tracking the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell trucks across Australia and follows our agreement with 7R Logistics whose stated intention is to transition its Tasmanian fleet from diesel to zero-emission fuel cell trucks,” he said.

“The project has an added benefit to the Australian economy as it complements the Federal Government’s goal to rebuild the nations manufacturing especially where it has a positive clean energy impact.”

Walkinshaw managing director Joel Stoddart said the company is excited to partner with Countrywide.

“At Walkinshaw Group we are constantly looking at way to use our expertise to embrace the zero-emission vehicle sector, which is why we’re 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,” he said.

“We’re also thrilled that the opportunity could extend through exports to other right hand drive nations such as New Zealand and South Africa.”