A RENEWABLE hydrogen highway is being developed along Australia’s busiest road freight corridor to reduce emissions from trucking.
NSW treasurer and minister for energy Matt Kean said the Hume Hydrogen Highway on the east coast is expected to drive uptake of renewable hydrogen in the heavy transport sector.
“This initiative aims to show the potential of renewable hydrogen for heavy vehicles with the goal of transitioning the freight sector to zero emissions energy sources,” Mr Kean said.
He said the highway is the first initiative of a statewide hydrogen refuelling network.
“What we’re looking for is strong industry collaboration between refuelling station operators, fleet operators, truck manufacturers, major freight customers, and other entities which will be vital to the success of the initiative.”
Lily D’Ambrosio, Victoria’s minster for energy and minister for environment and climate action, said transport accounts for 25% of Victoria’s total carbon footprint.
“Australia’s busiest corridor is the perfect place to kickstart the transition to a zero-emission freight sector,” Ms 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 halve emissions by 2030 as we work towards net-zero by 2050.”
Applications have opened for $20 million in grant funding to support the design and delivery of the highway.
It is a joint grant initiative between NSW and Victorian governments to support the development of at least four refuelling stations along the highway and around 25 hydrogen-powered trucks.
