CPB Contractors has completed an Australia-first pilot of Toyota’s prototype HiAce powered by a hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine (ICE).
According to a press release from CPB, the month-long trial conducted by Australia’s largest construction company involved the “ultra-low” CO2 tailpipe emission vehicle replacing one of the diesel-fuelled Toyota vans to transport workers to and from various sites on two of Melbourne’s major infrastructure projects. Overall, the plant asset team and drivers who utilised the vehicle “unanimously reported a positive driving experience”, labelling the hydrogen-fuelled engine as driving like a normal bus.
With the prototype bearing a range of similarities to the ones currently in CPB’s fleet, the trial demonstrates the viability of hydrogen-fuelled ICEs as a sustainable alternative, providing a genuine solution to reducing petrol and diesel consumption. According to CPB Contractors’ Engineering Director, Benita Husband, CPB possesses a “long history” working with Toyota, and the latest trial showed the “shared commitments” of the two organisations in their pursuit of sustainability, efficiency, and safety.
“As we continue to explore the most sustainable vehicles, machinery and equipment to implement across our business, hydrogen is an important part of the solution,” she said. “This trial with Toyota has allowed us to test the user experience determining there is an equal or even better solution for our people who drive these vehicles.”
Toyota’s prototype HiAce is the latest step in the company’s global approach to decarbonisation. Following its Australian trial in real-world conditions, the feedback provided by CPB Contractors will be used to support further development, aiming to bring vehicles powered by hydrogen internal combustion engines to full commercialisation.
News of CPB’s successful trials comes as crane hire, heavy vehicle, and heavy haulage companies prepare to deal with the Federal Government’s new laws, ADR 80/03 and ADR 80/04. ADR 80/03 dictates that all heavy vehicles entering the country must comply with Euro V emission regulations from July 1 2024, while ADR 80/04 states that heavy vehicles entering the country must comply with Euro VI emission regulations from November 1, 2025, while vehicles being designed in the country must meet Euro VI requirements following November 1, 2024.
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