Australia’s fleet of zero-emissions heavy vehicles is set to expand in the next two years with Countrywide Hydrogen and Walkinshaw Automotive Group signing a binding agreement to develop hydrogen-based trucks and prime movers for the domestic market.
Local renewable hydrogen company Countrywide Hydrogen is targeting its first production of the green fuel in 2025 and had been seeking a partnership with a heavy vehicle manufacturer to deliver zero-emissions fuel cell trucks to the Australian market.
The partnership with Victorian-based Walkinshaw Automotive Group will see the companies develop vehicles to run on hydrogen as the nation phases out diesel-fuelled haulage.
Currently, left-hand-drive fuel cell trucks are available in the Australian market, but there are no right-hand-drive heavy vehicles on offer – a gap in the market the two companies aim to fill.
“The partnership with Walkinshaw will fast-track the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell trucks across Australia,” says Countrywide Hydrogen managing director Geoffrey Drucker (pictured, above left).
“It follows our agreement to supply green hydrogen trucks to 7R Logistics to transition their Tasmanian fleet from diesel to zero-emissions fuel cell trucks.
“This project complements the Federal Government’s goal to rebuild the nation’s manufacturing, especially where it has a positive clean energy impact.”
The partnership goal is for Countrywide Hydrogen to build the vehicles and Walkinshaw Automotive Group to supply the Australian market. The two parties will also explore the possibility of importing left-hand-drive fuel cell trucks to convert them to right-hand-drive.
Walkinshaw Automotive Group is currently delivering 70 similar conversions a day in the 4WD ute category, with RAM and Silverado makes.
The companies are also exploring the option of securing truck bodies to be fitted with Toyota fuel cells and electric drive trains.
“At Walkinshaw Group, we are constantly looking to use our expertise to expand our range,” says Walkinshaw Group managing director Joel Stoddart (pictured, above right).
“We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Countrywide Hydrogen to determine the potential for development of hydrogen-based truck and prime movers for the Australian market.
“We are also thrilled the opportunity could extend through exports to other right-hand-drive nations such as New Zealand and South Africa.”