Hydrogen-Powered Waste Truck Commences Duties

Remondis Australia achieves global breakthrough as zero-emission hydrogen powered waste collection truck commences duties in Wollongong and Shellharbour, NSW

This week Remondis broke new ground globally with its zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered waste collection truck commencing duties in Wollongong and Shellharbour, NSW.

HVIA member Hyzon, in partnership with Superior Pak, has developed the fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) for the waste management company, which relies on hydrogen and combines with air to generate electricity for the motor function. Only water vapour is emitted.

As one of the world’s first hydrogen-powered waste collection trucks, the recent launch of the Coregas H2 station in Port Kembla, Australia’s first hydrogen refuelling station for heavy vehicles, has been pivotal in enabling waste collection operations.

It’s expected the hydrogen truck would be refuelled daily, with each refuelling stop taking about 15 minutes.

Extensive trials have shown the truck can travel approximately 200 kilometres, completing full waste collection runs without refuelling – comparable to a conventional diesel truck.

HVIA’s Chief Advocacy Officer, Adele Lausberg, attended the launch and notes it is a significant step forward in the take up of new technology.

“Today’s launch shows the innovation and initiative that exists in the heavy vehicle sector and is an exciting development in the broader decarbonisation journey,” she says.

“As a sector we face regulations that limit and deter the take-up of net zero technology, but despite this truck and trailer manufacturers have products available now to support the net-zero transition.”

With the backing of Wollongong City Council and Shellharbour City Council, the launch of the FCEV waste collection truck displays the collective will that exists in the heavy vehicle sector to decarbonise freight transport.

“We’re demonstrating that carbon-free transport can and does work in industrial settings,” Remondis Australia CEO Björn Becker says.

“We’re hopeful that this is the start of a bigger journey whereby companies around the world follow Remondis’ lead and turn to fleet decarbonisation.

“This should be likely as economies of scale take effect, making the take-up of such technology the norm and not the exception.”

Remondis’ ultimate aim is to have the hydrogen truck match current diesel trucks in all facets, which includes completing about 1,000 bin lifts over about eight hours.

The truck will result in 25,000 litres of diesel fuel being saved annually – the amount a conventional diesel-powered waste collection truck of this size uses.

Up to 75 tonnes of carbon emissions would also be eliminated each year. Heavy-duty transport is known to cause about a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions globally. The truck is also significantly quieter than diesel trucks.

Hyzon Motors President of International Operations John Edgley says the announcement is a “real game changer” for the world’s decarbonisation journey.

“We’re making it very clear that we’ve got a product now, the first product that’s been designed locally, that’s ready to go into market,” he says.

“This step forward will give more confidence that as a trucking sector, we can start transitioning larger fleets in companies that have thousands of vehicles.”