HVIA members Foton Mobility Distribution, Change Fuel Technologies, KRW Hydron, Hiringa and Viva Energy Australia were on hand at last week’s Hydrogen Transport Forum in Melbourne to present and discuss a wide range of hydrogen production, infrastructure and technology initiatives that are heating up the local push for hydrogen as a transport fuel.
The Hydrogen Transport Forum (HTF) is a collaboration between vehicle manufacturers and partners across energy, infrastructure and industry. It was founded by BMW, Hyundai and Toyota, and exists to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen transport in Australia through industry coordination, supporting infrastructure planning and specific policy advocacy.
Gary Foster, Manager of Hydrogen Programs at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, gave an update on NSW’s pioneering series of ‘Hydrogen Hubs’ and hydrogen refuelling networks that he initially presented on at HVIA’s TruckShowX in the Hunter Valley in May this year. Further information on the project’s initiatives can be accessed here.
Similarly, Hiringa and Viva gave updates on their separate hydrogen refuelling infrastructure progress, and Change Fuel Technologies and KRW Hydron talked hydrogen vehicle technology options.
A crucial theme that ran through each presentation was the economics of hydrogen operation and total cost of ownership for vehicle operators. As the price of diesel remains relatively high, and the cost of hydrogen falls, price parity in an operational sense is fast becoming a practical reality.
The day was hosted by the Kangan Institute at its Automotive Centre of Excellence in Melbourne’s Docklands, who are also leaders in developing and delivering hydrogen and battery electric training programs to the current and next generations of Australian automotive technicians.