Pepsi to Trial Hydrogen Trucks at Brisbane facility
From 2023, PepsiCo Australia will trial a hydrogen fuelled heavy duty truck at one of its Brisbane manufacturing sites. The trial is in partnership with Pure Hydrogen, a company positioning itself as a supplier of both hydrogen powered vehicles via leasing arrangements, as well as hydrogen itself.
Pure Hydrogen is casting its net wider with a terms sheet reached with giant food and beverage conglomerate PepsiCo for the trial of a hydrogen fuel cell prime mover.
Under the terms sheet, the company will supply PepsiCo with a hydrogen fuel cell 160kW 6x4 prime mover for use at one of the latter’s preferred delivery points in Brisbane from mid-2023.
Additionally, Pure Hydrogen (ASX:PH2) will provide additional hydrogen supply as required, including refuelling.
After the trial PepsiCo will determine if the prime mover has a commercial use-case, it may order further hydrogen powered vehicles over the period 2023-25.
The trial is the latest in a number that Pure Hydrogen is undertaking – including its agreement for JJ Waste & Recycling to trial Australia’s first hydrogen fuel cell refuse collection vehicle – as part of a broader market strategy to demonstrate the commercial use-case of affordable hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. With this also being done here in SE Qld.
The truck will be supplied by BLK Auto under a Master Supply Agreement covering distribution of trucks, buses and storage pods for Asia Pacific and Africa for 10 years and exclusively for these trucks for a period of one year from the delivery of the trial truck.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with a globally recognised and respected company such as PepsiCo, to commence trials for a prime mover vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells,” managing director Scott Brown said.
“This trial will further showcase the potential of Australia’s hydrogen energy markets – particularly for the commercial trucking industry, which relies heavily on existing fossil diesel. Pure Hydrogen is leading the way in providing use cases for hydrogen, covering many different uses including hydrogen generators, hydrogen utes and now hydrogen trucks.
PepsiCo ANZ Sustainability Manager Brent Gapes said the company was excited to partner with Pure Hydrogen on a first for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry.
“This trial demonstrates our commitment to net zero emissions across our value chain by 2040 – a goal that forms an integral component of PepsiCo Positive, a sustainability framework for how we operate within planetary boundaries and inspire positive change for the planet and people,” he said.
“As one of the largest food manufacturers in Australia, we recognise we have a role to play in reducing our impact on the environment and I look forward to working with Pure Hydrogen on how we can extend the trial further.”
Article provided by: Pure Hydrogen