A proper hydrogen trial? Ampol wants to show industry how hydrogen could work in Australia

Ampol has announced a partnership with US hydrogen company OneH2 in a move it says will allow it to offer industry in Australia a better opportunity to understand hydrogen technology and its applications in heavy transport and machinery.

A statement from the historically fuel-focused company, which recently became one of the first to implement electric car chargers at fuel stations in Australia, said it aims to “offer a unique and complete hydrogen refuelling solution, giving customers the opportunity to trial hydrogen technology”.

While the company hasn’t confirmed a timeframe or the specifics of the plan yet, it’s also not clear what the intended target of the trial is, as the number of hydrogen-powered vehicles in Australia is very low.

In the last three years, only 53 passenger vehicles (including SUVs) have been recorded as being delivered to customers or fleets, as reported by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

The majority of these will be made up of Hyundai Nexos and Toyota Mirais introduced through 2021 and ‘22 as limited fleet trials, which are also serviced by refuelling stations operated in partnership with the manufacturers.

The aim for Ampol’s partnership with OneH2, it says, is to service “heavier vehicle fleets” such as transport and machinery operators.

"Ampol will initially focus on back-to-base hydrogen operations and expect that heavier transport will primarily benefit early on," a spokesperson told CarsGuide.

"The OneH2 equipment is unique with its mobile refuelling offer as it eliminates expensive installations and provides refuelling flexibility for customers.

"We will continue to monitor the development of a number of ongoing renewable hydrogen production projects in Australia, and we will work with a variety of suppliers to ensure we have a safe and reliable supply chain as we scale up over time."

Trials of transport and service trucks have been few and far between in Australia, though increased availability of hydrogen could prompt more interest in the fuel type.

Ampol Executive General Manager of International and New Business Brent Merrick called the partnership “a natural extension to Ampol's fuel portfolio” citing the similarities between hydrogen and petrol or diesel as a transport fuel.

"Hydrogen has a key role to play in reducing emissions across Australia’s transport and broader energy sector and offers a unique opportunity to decarbonise hard to abate heavy transport and heavy machinery sectors,” said Merrick.

“We expect early hydrogen adoption within heavier vehicle fleets and operations who will benefit from short refuelling times and longer range compared to current battery electric alternatives.

Paul Dawson, OneH2 President and CEO, said the company has been “pleasantly surprised and encouraged by Ampol's forward-thinking strategy for hydrogen in the transport sector”.

"Hydrogen as a transport fuel is not easy. Our experience in designing, manufacturing and deploying hydrogen equipment across the US over the last eight years, will allow us to accelerate its adoption in the Australian market."

Currently, perhaps the best known local effort in the hydrogen space for industry is that of H2X, which has been building hydrogen utes from the basis of the Ford Ranger T6 platform, while also designing its own vans and working on a light truck and a bus design for the future.

Overseas, Hyundai has successfully trialled a fleet of hydrogen fuel-cell powered Xcient trucks, with a view to expand the program to more markets (including Australia) where electric heavy vehicles can't make commercial sense due to the distances they would need to cover.