Viva Energy today launched its renewable hydrogen refuelling station at the company’s Energy Hub in Geelong.
The facility is the nation’s first publicly accessible commercial hydrogen refuelling station and will be the hub for a fleet of hydrogen-powered, emission-free commercial heavy vehicles servicing the Geelong region.
Today’s launch was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, the Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio, and foundational partners of the project that include Toll Group, Barwon Water, CDC and Cleanaway.
The $61 million project marks a significant step in Viva Energy’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
“Welcome to the future — that is what this facility is,” the Deputy Prime Minister told guests at the launch.
“Using renewable energy to electrolyse water to create hydrogen that then can be used as a source of commercial fuel is really one of the great hopes of decarbonising the Australian economy.”
Marles said the use of commercial vehicles had always been at the forefront of the national economy and as a result, Australia had been at the forefront of globally efficient use of commercial vehicles.
“This is something we should be doing first, something that we should be the very best at,” Marles said of the site located in the shadows of Viva Energy’s Refinery.
The project incorporates a 2.5-megawatt electrolyser for the generation of renewable hydrogen using recycled water from Barwon Water’s Northern Water Plant.
It will include a fleet of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) – including prime movers, buses and rubbish trucks – operated by local businesses which will utilise the Viva Energy Hub for refuelling.
Toll’s participation includes the deployment of two hydrogen-powered prime movers, which are expected to commence operations later this year.
The B-doubles will haul steel products from Hastings to Geelong, a 300 kilometre round trip, saving 95,000 litres of diesel and eliminating 254 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually the company said.
Toll Group Chief Commercial and Sustainability Officer, Anna Green, said the investment in hydrogen reflects its focus on identifying the right mix of renewable and low-emission fuel sources.
“We’re proud to be one of the first in our sector making a meaningful investment in hydrogen transport,” she said.
“We know the path to net zero will rely on a range of technologies. That’s why we’re investing in hydrogen, electric vehicles, and more efficient diesel alternatives as we progress toward a low-emissions future.”
HDrive and Hyundai both had hydrogen fuel cell trucks on show at the site.
Viva Energy said additional hydrogen partners would be announced in the coming months.
The Energy Hub also has the capacity to provide renewable hydrogen on a B2B commercial basis using tube trailers.
These trailers can be refilled and provided to industrial and commercial sectors.
Viva Energy Chief Strategy Officer Lachlan Pfeiffer said the new hydrogen refuelling station is part of the company’s broader strategy to diversify its energy offerings and support the growing demand for cleaner energy solutions.
“Offering hydrogen refuelling alongside fast charging for commercial EV vehicles – and the potential for renewable diesel in the future – is recognition that we believe the pathway to net zero will require a mix of new fuels and technologies alongside traditional offerings,” he said.
Refuelling a truck with hydrogen, according to Pfeiffer, takes as long in duration as it does to refuel a truck with diesel.
Representatives from Toyota and Hyundai were also in attendance at the event.
The site can refill all hydrogen vehicles including passenger vehicles which will require different pressures for refuelling.
Barwon Water was reportedly exploring the use of oxygen created at the Hub for the water it uses at its treatment plants.