The Victorian Government has commissioned Infrastructure Victoria to provide advice on the latest infrastructure requirements in autonomous and zero emission vehicle technology, including the potential for hydrogen.
The announcement follows the release of the hydrogen fueled car, the Hyundai Nexo, which has made its debut in Australia, and the Toyota Mirai, one of the first hydrogen cars sold commercially.
Minister for Industry and Employment, Ben Carroll, said, “Hydrogen fuel cell technology is a game changer for transport manufacturing and will boost innovation across the industry.
“We’re a strong backer of innovative technology to drive our transport manufacturing industry forward and minimise our carbon footprint.”
The clean fuel cell technology adopted in the two cars generates zero emissions and offers opportunities in other transport sectors such as buses and trucks given the fast fill times and long driving range.
The Victorian Government has also committed $1 million to help Moreland City Council implement a renewable hydrogen refueling station to transition local government vehicles to a zero emissions fleet.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, said, “Victoria is moving to a clean energy future – and hydrogen is an important part of this. Our New Energy Jobs Fund is investing in it and we will continue to support it.”
The Victorian Government announced the world-first Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain Pilot Project to produce hydrogen in the Latrobe Valley which will create local jobs in April 2017.
The project will see liquefied hydrogen produced from Latrobe Valley brown coal transported to Japan for use in fuel cell electric vehicles and power generation, with carbon emissions required to be secured via carbon capture and storage technology.
