After extensive trials, a hydrogen-powered garbage truck from Hyzon Motors has completed its first scheduled residential waste collection in the Illawarra region of NSW.
Redmondis Australia, which contracts to Wollongong and Shellharbour City Councils, said the plan is to now “fine-tune” the truck in collaboration with Hyzon.
“The ultimate aim is to have the hydrogen truck matching our current diesel trucks in all facets,” said Chris Wade, Redmondis NSW South Coast regional manager.
“That includes completing about 1000 bin lifts over about eight hours.
“Trial runs in recent months have been promising, giving us confidence to put the truck into formal operation, serving many of the 300,000 residents in the region.”
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 the truck to commence operations, said Redmondis.
It’s expected the hydrogen truck would be refuelled daily, with each refuelling stop taking about 15 minutes.
Trials have shown the truck can travel approximately 200km enabling it to complete full waste collection runs without refuelling, the same as conventional diesel trucks.
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.
The truck is also significantly quieter than diesel trucks.