Partnership to deliver hydrogen trucks to Australia

Countrywide Hydrogen and Walkinshaw Automotive Group have agreed to review and consider the development of hydrogen-based truck and prime movers for the Australian market.

With Countrywide targeting first hydrogen production in H1, 2025 in Tasmania and road transport operators committing to transition from diesel to zero-emission fuel cell trucks, a missing piece is the availability of fuel cell trucks in Australia from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), preferred by road transport operators and financiers.

Due to the large scale of left-hand-drive (LHD) markets in Europe and North America, LHD fuel cell trucks are currently available but there are no right-hand-drive (RHD) options. Countrywide and Walkinshaw are aiming to cater to this market opportunity in Australia.

The companies have signed a binding agreement to work together to deliver RHD fuel cell trucks throughout Australia with Countrywide building and Walkinshaw supplying the market. They will explore the importation of LHD options and convert them to RHD. Walkinshaw is currently delivering 70 conversions a day with RAM and Silverado in the 4WD ute category, working with multiple OEMs. Another option is to secure truck bodies without an engine or drive train to be fitted out with the Toyota fuel cell and electric drive train.

Geoffrey Drucker, Countrywide Managing Director, said, “This partnership with Walkinshaw will help to fast-track the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell trucks across Australia, and follows our agreement to supply green hydrogen trucks to 7R Logistics to transition their Tasmanian fleet from diesel to zero-emission fuel cell trucks.”

The project also complements the federal government’s goal to rebuild the nation’s manufacturing.

Joel Stoddart, Walkinshaw Group Managing Director, said the opportunity could extend through exports to other RHD nations such as New Zealand and South Africa.

The project is expected to create around 100 jobs, with sales set to be targeted in areas where hydrogen refuelling is available.

Image credit: iStock.com/onurdongel