A hydrogen-powered truck has been added to the City of Newcastle waste collection fleet as part of a 12 month trial.
The rear-loading hydrogen fuel cell electric truck is being trialled with Australian clean energy business Pure Hydrogen.
The lease will include the option for a four-year extension based on the outcome of the trial, with the truck expected to make its maiden bin collection round in Newcastle later this year.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the trial aligns with a key priority under City of Newcastle’s Environment Strategy.
“We’re seeing zero-emissions vehicles emerge as a marker of the best-run cities in the world and this trial is a step forward that Newcastle can and should be proud of,” Nelmes said.
“We’re committed to delivering a 100 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from City of Newcastle vehicles during the next decade and we’ll continue driving toward this goal by trialling new technologies that contribute to this transition.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen added that the trial was consistent with Newcastle’s emerging future as a global hydrogen leader.
“Newcastle is the only hydrogen hub designated by both the NSW and Australian governments,” Clausen said.
“I’m proud that Newcastle is taking real action with this hydrogen vehicle trial and I’m proud that our work is shaping the Hunter’s hydrogen transition road map.”
City of Newcastle explained that unlike diesel trucks, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles emit no exhaust, minimal heat and a trickle of pure water. They are also significantly quieter.
The Newcastle truck will run on Green Hydrogen. While the hydrogen energy to run the truck will be produced by electrolysis using grid power, Green Power Purchase agreements will offset any carbon emissions.
Data from the 12-month trial will help inform City of Newcastle’s future purchases of waste trucks. Over the coming four years City of Newcastle is expected to replace a significant number of its existing diesel powered green and red lid bin trucks as part of the routine renewal of the fleet.