Qld to trial fuel cell cars powered by local hydrogen

The Palaszczuk government has announced plans to trial five Hyundai NEXO hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) powered by homegrown hydrogen. Queensland Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the three-year trial will help underpin the development of the state’s domestic hydrogen industry.

De Brenni noted that transport systems around the world are undergoing a phase of transformation with the rise of electric vehicles, and said the trial will help prepare for these transformations as the world moves towards cleaner transport solutions.

Hyundai NEXOs can be refuelled in five minutes with hydrogen to be manufactured in Queensland by BOC Australia. The cars will join the rising number of electric vehicles (EVs) already in the government fleet; de Brenni said the Palaszczuk government has a QFleet Electrical Vehicle Strategy in place to boost the number of EVs in the government fleet.

“Our commitment is to double the number of EVs in QFleet each year, a target we are on track to meet. I will continue to ensure the shift to electric models as vehicles fall due for replacement over the coming months and years in order to lead the development of the EV and hydrogen sectors,” said de Brenni.

Negotiations are also underway with vehicle manufacturers to enable early access to new models when they are released onto the Australian market.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Elnur