Australian clean energy company Pure Hydrogen Corporation has registered Australia’s first Hydrogen Fuel Cell Prime Mover in Brisbane, Queensland, with plans to hand over the vehicle to PepsiCo within the coming weeks.
This milestone follows the partnership formed in September 2022 between Pure Hydrogen and global food and beverage giant PepsiCo, as announced by the ASX-listed company.
The collaboration aims to trial the Hydrogen Fuel Cell 6×4 Prime Mover, with Pure Hydrogen also providing refuelling, maintenance, and repair services.
Pure Hydrogen’s Managing Director, Scott Brown, stated, “The completion of the Taurus Prime Mover registration follows an extensive period of testing, and this marks the latest step in our development strategy for hydrogen-powered vehicles in Australia.”
He added, “Pure Hydrogen continues to pioneer the use of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and is establishing itself as an emerging leader in the Australian hydrogen and energy space.”
With the registration process completed, the six-month trial will begin immediately after the handover to PepsiCo.
The trial will enable PepsiCo to assess the commercial viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles, with the potential to expand its fleet based on the trial’s outcomes.
“The 6-month trial will allow Pure Hydrogen to demonstrate the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Prime Mover’s potential to a broader range of potential local and international customers,” said Brown.
This development aligns with the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy 2019-2024, which envisions Queensland as a leader in renewable hydrogen production by 2030.
Brown also highlighted the challenges faced during the approval process, noting, “We are disappointed with the time it has taken to get this truck on the road, but at least we have a pathway to follow in gaining road approvals. The red tape for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is far too restrictive and badly needs an urgent overhaul.”
According to Pure Hydrogen, HDrive International, a key partner in the project, played a critical role in overcoming these challenges.
HDrive’s Chief Executive Officer, Ben Kiddle, remarked, “After over twelve months of rigorous vehicle testing, we have successfully completed the homologation and road approval process for our trial. As the first hydrogen-fuelled Prime Mover in Australia, navigating the approvals and registration process posed significant challenges.”
