Specialist vehicle importer, distributor and manufacturer HDrive is expected to commence production of Australia’s first hydrogen-powered double-decker city buses in 2023.
During a special event at Shellharbour Airport in late 2022, the company unveiled the cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell technology thanks to a sample vehicle on loan from Hong Kong Public Transport (pictured above).
The city bus is the world’s first tri-axle hydrogen double-decker bus, which is designed by Wisdom (Fujian) Motor Co as a sustainable alternative to energy intensive passenger transport.
“Our team is thrilled to be introducing an Australasian-first in transport,” says HDrive managing director Jason Pecotic.
“We are confident this hydrogen double-decker bus will unlock extraordinary opportunities for a range of sectors around the country.
“Our commitment at HDrive, alongside our parent company, BLK Auto, is to offer the latest in transport technology.
“From safety to stability, we are focused on new advances in vehicle design and engineering.
“We are proud to have reached this milestone for Australian transport and are confident this city bus will support our clients to reach their emission targets, and create a cleaner transport environment for Australia and beyond.”
The double-decker city bus takes no more than 15 minutes to fuel, has a tank range of more than 400km, and is designed to navigate hilly terrain and steep gradients.
Key components of the vehicle have been adopted from Wisdom’s global partners, including its Type 4 hydrogen storage cylinder system provider CIMC-HEXAGON, and technology from fuel cell producer Ballard Power Systems.
Local production of the city bus will commence this year, and the passenger vehicles will join the stable of HDrive’s hydrogen fuel cell trucks.