Toyota, Hyundai join to promote hydrogen

The future of zero-emissions transport is to take a new twist with the formation of Hydrogen Mobility Australia (HMA), a new advocacy body that aims to achieve emissions-free transport using hydrogen-powered fuel cells as its modus operandi.

Both Hyundai and Toyota are on board as founding members. The result of an initiative that saw a need for a homogenous approach to the development of standards and the establishment of a hydrogen infrastructure, HMA comprises vehicle manufacturers, energy companies and infrastructure providers. Australia has been slow developing hydrogen infrastructure, whereas the Germans, Norwegians, Japanese and Americans are already fast-tracking hydrogen replenishment stations.

Headed by CEO Claire Johnson, who recently fronted Toyota's push for the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Australia, the organisation hopes to work with the expanding battery-powered electric vehicle market.

According to HMA Chairman Ian Mutton "While battery electric vehicles represent one technology option, fuel cell vehicles, similarly powered by electricity, present another genuine alternative for delivering reduced transport emissions for Australia.

"Hydrogen has the potential to play a pivotal role in the future because it can be used to store and transport energy from wind, solar and other renewable sources to power many things, including vehicles."

The body will work towards new hydrogen and fuel cell technologies covering production, export and storage for transport applications in Australia and overseas.

In fact, with Australia's competitive advantage in the supply of renewable commodities, the organisation claims hydrogen could become the country's "next big energy export."

The formation of HMA comes in the wake of government commitments made to help the uptake of zero-emission vehicles in Australia, with Josh Frydenberg, Minister for the Environment and Energy, stressing the need for a coordinated plan to support the growth of green transport options.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and CSIRO announced last year that the export of renewable energy in the form of hydrogen will be a priority, with several infrastructure projects already announced for South Australia, the ACT and the City of Moreland in Melbourne.

Toyota says it is aiming for electrified vehicles to account for more than 50 per cent of its new-vehicle sales by the end of the next decade. By around 2025, it says every model would be available as either a dedicated electrified model or have an electrified option.

Hydrogen Mobility Australia members include BOC, BP Australia, Caltex Australia, CNH Industrial, Coregas, Hyundai Australia, ITM Power, Siemens, Toyota Australia and Viva Energy Australia.

Toyota anticipates that Australia will eventually move to hydrogen, but it has no plans to bring its production fuel-cell vehicle, the Mirai, to Australia. Unlike Hyundai, Toyota doesn't even have a permanent hydrogen refilling station in the country. Toyota presumably intends to be a member of the HMA for the longer term, while the infrastructure and consumer demand to support hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles slowly unfolds.

"Toyota's foundation membership of HMA aligns with our global drive to promote sustainable mobility and to play a leading role in the transition to widespread low carbon energy use," says Mike Rausa, Toyota vice-president product and corporate operations.

"Hydrogen has the potential to play a pivotal role in the future because it can be used to store and transport energy from wind, solar and other renewable sources to power many things, including vehicles.

"The sooner we move to a zero emissions society, the better. Toyota along with everyone involved in HMA is committed to making this a reality."

Similar sentiments have been expressed by Hyundai Australia's Chief Operating Officer, Scott Grant.

"The reduction of vehicle emissions is an important part of the overall global drive to help us breathe cleaner air," says Grant.

"Hyundai is a world leader in the development of zero-emission and low-emission vehicles and hydrogen power will play a key role in our driving future.

"We look forward to working closely with all of our partners in promoting and demonstrating this fantastic technology."