Waste and recycling specialist REMONDIS Australia is set to put one of the first zero-emission waste collection trucks through a trial run as part of its commercial operations.
The company said the hydrogen-powered truck trial might pave the way for a rollout of zero-emission heavy vehicles across REMONDIS’ global network, as well as a catalyst for other fleet operators to follow suit.
Developed by heavy-duty truck manufacturing company Hyzon Motors ANZ (Hyzon) in Australia, and made available to REMONDIS, the truck’s fuel cell electric engine relies on hydrogen funnelled from specially made tanks, that combine with air to generate electricity that powers the truck.
The Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) technology only results in water vapour emissions, according to REMONDIS.
In an Australian first, Remondis said it will trial the new rubbish truck in Port Kembla, New South Wales from mid-2023.
Bjorn Becker, REMONDIS Australia Chairman, said that as countries around the world try to shift to zero-emission transport outcomes, REMONDIS is committed to the move in Australia.
“It is a big step to invest in putting a zero-emission waste collection truck to the test in a commercial setting. Although we can’t pre-empt the trial outcomes, we’ve certainly placed a stake in the zero-emission space,” Becker said.
He added, “A best-case scenario could be gradually replacing our global diesel-powered trucks with zero-emission trucks, which could set the scene for other companies to do the same. At the very least we’ll collect unprecedented information about what it takes to get closer to fleet decarbonisation.”
The objective, according to Chris Wade, manager of REMONDIS NSW south coast region, was to have the zero-emission truck perform on par with the same-sized diesel-powered trucks.
“Efficiency is critical when it comes to waste collection, so we’ll be paying close attention to how the truck performs compared to our diesel trucks,” Wade said.
Wade went on to say that refuelling will take roughly 20 minutes at the Coregas facility in Port Kembla.
Hyzon’s heavy-duty garbage truck was developed with a 200-kilometre range and 1500 bin lifts per working day in mind.
Last year, Hyzon announced the establishment of Australia’s first purpose-built assembly factory in Melbourne’s South-East to manufacture hydrogen-powered trucks such as this one.
John Edgley, Hyzon President of International Operations, said the trial was an Australian home-grown success story.
“It speaks volumes that REMONDIS, a global leader in the circular economy, has taken the lead by putting a zero-emission waste collection truck into commercial operation,” Edgley said.
He added, “Our Heavy Rigid truck has been developed in Australia as a global platform. It is adaptable for international markets with a multitude of vehicle use cases such as garbage compactors, tilt trays and flatbed trucks.”
The truck has been developed in partnership with Superior Pak, an Australian manufacturer of mobile waste collection and compaction equipment.
