AUSTRALIA'S first renewable hydrogen refuelling network will be built along the nation's busiest freight route, thanks to collaboration between Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
The Victorian state government will invest $10 million to build at least four renewable hydrogen refuelling stations between Sydney and Melbourne, in a historic step towards de–carbonising the trucking industry and meeting Victoria's target to halve emissions by 2030.
The funding will be matched by the NSW Government.
The $20 million funding will build the network and provide grants for Australia's first long–haul hydrogen fuel cell electric freight trucks – taking advantage of the greater efficiency for freight through fast refuelling, increased load capacity and range.
The Victorian, NSW and Queensland governments will collaborate on the development of the renewable hydrogen highway by 2026, focusing on the Hume Highway, the Pacific Highway and the Newell Highway.
Transport is one of Australia's largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 25 per cent of Victoria's total carbon footprint.
Renewable hydrogen shows strong potential to be cost competitive with diesel – which currently powers most of Victoria's freight industry.
The highway program is expected to unlock new markets and create new jobs, driving investment through regional and metropolitan areas along Australia's eastern seaboard.
Victoria's Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio said that the renewable hydrogen highway will create new jobs, drive investment across the east coast as well as being a landmark step towards meeting Victoria's target to reach net–zero by 2050.
"While the Commonwealth Government is failing to address climate change, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland are building pathways to a zero–emissions transport sector," said Ms D'Ambrosio