South Australia to trial hydrogen-powered buses by 2019
The South Australian Government today announced plans to trial at least six hydrogen fuel cell powered buses, to be up and running with the Adelaide Metro system within the next two years.
The South Australian Government today announced plans to trial at least six hydrogen fuel cell powered buses, to be up and running with the Adelaide Metro system within the next two years.
The bus project is a small part of the state’s Hydrogen Roadmap, announced today. The aim of the Hydrogen Roadmap is to help reach South Australia’s target of 50% of the state’s energy by 2025, and of zero net carbon emissions by 2050.
A vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell emits only water. The hydrogen itself doesn’t ‘burn’, instead a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen creates electricity, which drives the motor.
Elsewhere in the world
The South Australian move to trial hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles matches moves elsewhere in the world. The UK government announced this year a £23 million fund to accelerate the take-up of hydrogen vehicles, and of its hydrogen fuel cell infrastructure. By the time of the 2020 Olympics, Japan has a target of 40,000 hydrogen cars and 100 buses on its roads, 160 hydrogen refuelling stations, and 1.4 million residential fuel cells.
Tenders to supply the buses are open now, and close 9 October 2017. A budget of $8.2 million has been allocated for the hydrogen bus trial.
The bigger picture for South Australia
Said SA Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Tom Koutsantonis:
“Hydrogen offers an opportunity to create a new industry in South Australia where we can export our sun and wind resources to the world. By developing this technology in South Australia, motorists will have new choices in electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles as well as the infrastructure needed to support those options.”
“Within three years, South Australia will have the capacity to export its first hydrogen supplies produced using our renewable energy assets. Within a decade South Australian motorists should be able to drive from Ceduna to Mt Gambier in a hydrogen-fuelled vehicle topping up at a state-wide network of refuelling stations.”
Download the report
Click the button below to download the Hydrogen Roadmap for South Australia report.
Discover more from iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre | Transport R&D
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
