HDrive to distribute HYZON

HDrive, as distributor for HYZON Motors’ hydrogen fuel cell technology, will be equipped to deliver zero emission fuel cell powered vehicles using the latest in zero emission heavy vehicle technologies for Australian commercial vehicle fleet operators.

The new distributor has worked closely with HYZON Motors to design the hydrogen fuel cell coaches to be deployed for Fortescue Metals Group at its Christmas Creek operation. The HDrive team says it has been crucial in ensuring the zero emission coaches can function reliably in the harsh Pilbara environment.

HDrive CEO Jason Pecotic said the appointment as Australian distributor for HYZON Motors will mean Australian fleet operators will be able to access the latest and most advanced zero emission hydrogen fuel cell technology to power commercial vehicles.

“The Fortescue Metals contract will see the latest technology BLK electric coaches equipped with HYZON’s most advanced heavy duty truck fuel cells to meet the difficult and testing conditions the coaches will have to deal with in the rugged Pilbara environment,” said Pecotic.

“The BLK coaches to be supplied to Fortescue are newly developed, customised electric coaches which will use the HYZON hydrogen fuel cells, and are not a retrofit diesel coach or a glider chassis delivered without a power train,” he added.

“HDrive is able to work with HYZON and vehicle makers to integrate hydrogen fuel cells to power the latest technology electric buses and trucks,” said Jason.

Fortescue says the $32 million renewable hydrogen mobility project – the first for an Australian mining operation – will see the deployment of 10 full-sized hydrogen coaches, custom built by HYZON, to replace the existing fleet of diesel coaches at Christmas Creek from mid-2021. It will be supported by the installation of a refuelling station, which will harness renewable electricity from the Chichester Solar Gas Hybrid Project to generate renewable hydrogen onsite.

Fortescue Deputy Chief Executive Officer Julie Shuttleworth said: “This project represents a first step towards decarbonising our mobile fleet, which is an important part of our goal to achieve net zero operational emissions by 2040.

In April 2020, Fortescue and ATCO Australia (ATCO) entered into a partnership to build and operate the first combined hydrogen production and refuelling facility in Western Australia. The facility will initially provide Fortescue, ATCO and approved third parties with the opportunity to refuel hydrogen vehicles.

“As a significant energy consumer, we are actively pursuing opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint and cost base and we expect hydrogen to play a key role. Fortescue’s mobile fleet represents around 400 to 450 million litres of diesel consumption per year and presents a significant opportunity for hydrogen to be used as a replacement fuel source to accelerate emissions reduction and diversify our energy mix,” Ms Shuttleworth said.

The project has received $2 million in funding through the Western Australian Government’s Renewable Hydrogen Fund.