Network will target three major highways along the eastern seaboard
Australia’s first renewable hydrogen refuelling network will be built along the nation’s busiest freight route in a collaboration between Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
The Victorian government will invest $10 million to build at least four renewable hydrogen refuelling stations between Sydney and Melbourne in a historic step towards decarbonising the trucking industry.
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The proposed hydrogen highway will run along the east side of Australia
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The move also helps Victoria meet its target to halve emissions by 2030, with funding to be matched by the NSW government as well.
The overall $20 million funding will help build the network and provide grants for Australia’s first long-haul hydrogen fuel cell electric freight trucks, which take advantage of the greater efficiency for freight through faster refuelling, increased load capacity and increased range.
The three governments from Australian’s eastern seaboard will collaborate on the development of the renewable hydrogen highway by 2026, focusing on the Hume Highway, the Pacific Highway and the Newell Highway.
With transport being one of Australia’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 25 per cent of Victoria’s total carbon footprint, the renewable hydrogen move shows potential to be cost competitive with diesel, which currently powers most of Victoria’s freight industry.
According to the Victorian government, the highway program is also expected to unlock new markets and create new jobs, driving investment through regional and metropolitan areas across eastern Australia.
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“While the Commonwealth government is failing to address climate change, Victoria, NSW and Queensland are building pathways to a zero-emissions transport sector,” Victorian Minister for Energy and Environment Lily D’Ambrosio says.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean says: “Renewable hydrogen will increasingly become a competitive zero emissions fuel option for our heavy transport sector, giving our trucking industry the opportunity to decarbonise their fleets.”
“The NSW, Victorian and Queensland governments are signing Memorandums of Understanding for the refuelling corridors, starting with the Hume Highway, the Pacific Highway and the Newell Highway.”