All aboard hydrogen bus powered by North Ryde’s BOC

Connect MPID: Macquarie Park Innovation District, 7 Feb 2022

Your morning commute to work could soon be on hydrogen-powered buses using energy developed in North Ryde. BOC (Julius Ave) have put their foot on the accelerator in a new deal to develop hydrogen transport infrastructure in Australia.

Emissions-conscious BOC (Julius Avenue) will collaborate with Sydney-based Foton Mobility to develop operational and commercial hydrogen bus models together, from production and refueling, through to leasing arrangements and maintenance.

The first four of Foton’s hydrogen buses in Australia are due to arrive in March, with two already sold to local transport operator Transit Systems.

The new hydrogen buses can be fuelled in 12 minutes, and one hydrogen refuelling station can fill up 160 buses a day. The range of a hydrogen-powered bus is approximately 100 kilometres greater than a typical electric bus, driving further environmental improvements.

Vesna Olles, Director Strategy and Clean Energy at BOC South Pacific said:

“Transport accounts for almost one fifth of Australia’s total carbon emissions, which needs to be reduced significantly to meet net-zero targets.”

“BOC is delighted to be working with Foton Mobility to explore a variety of leasing arrangements for hydrogen buses and hydrogen refuelling stations, and demonstrating a strong business case to government and private operators interested in decarbonising their bus fleets.”

A leading local employer, BOC’s south pacific headquarters are in North Ryde.

Their move in to powering public transport complements neighbouring mobility leader Hyundai’s work in hydrogen vehicles, and work led by the Sustainable Energy Research Centre at Macquarie Univeristy – further cementing Macquarie Park’s position in building Australia’s future hydrogren industry.