The country’s first renewable hydrogen refuelling network will be built across three states, along Australia’s busiest freight route.
The network will run through Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. The Victorian Government will invest $10 million to build at least four renewable hydrogen refuelling stations between Sydney and Melbourne, in a step towards decarbonising the trucking industry and meeting Victoria’s target to halve emissions by 2030. The funding will be matched by the New South Wales Government.
The $20 million funding will build the network and provide grants for Australia’s first long-haul hydrogen fuel cell electric freight trucks – taking advantage of the greater efficiency for freight through fast refuelling, increased load capacity and range.
The Victorian, New South Wales and Queensland Governments will collaborate on the development of the renewable hydrogen highway by 2026, focusing on the Hume Highway, the Pacific Highway and the Newell Highway.
Victoria’s Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, said, “The renewable hydrogen highway will create new jobs, drive investment across the east coast and is a landmark step towards meeting Victoria’s target to reach net zero by 2050.”
New South Wales Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment, Matt Kean, said, “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.”
Transport is one of Australia’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 25 per cent of Victoria’s total carbon footprint.
Renewable hydrogen shows strong potential to be cost competitive with diesel – which currently powers most of Victoria’s freight industry.
The highway program is expected to unlock new markets and create new jobs, driving investment through regional and metropolitan areas along Australia’s eastern seaboard.
To learn more, visit energy.vic.gov.au/hume-hydrogen-highway.
