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Australian Hydrogen Council supports Future Fuels Funding boost

Australian Hydrogen Council

The Australian Hydrogen Council (AHC) has welcomed the federal government’s move towards decarbonising the country’s transport sector through expanding its Future Fuels Fund. However, more can be done to drive the transition. 

According to the AHC, the larger $250 million Future Fuels Fund will be critical to enabling the roll-out of hydrogen refuelling and electric vehicle charging infrastructure in cities and across regional Australia. But further market incentives and fuel emissions standards should be introduced to accelerate Australia’s transition to zero emissions vehicles. 

“This announcement is fundamental to a greener future because decarbonisation of the transport sector is paramount to reaching net zero,” Australian Hydrogen Council CEO Dr Fiona Simon said. 

“Transport is Australia’s second largest emitter, making up 19 per cent of greenhouse emissions. We know that fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) will work alongside battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to power the new generation of road transport.” 

Clean hydrogen is well placed to compete with fuels like diesel, and the National Hydrogen Strategy notes that hydrogen fuel carries more energy that the equivalent weight of batteries, Simon said. 

“This is particularly important for buses and trucks that travel long distances, or where battery weight compromises effective payload,” she said. Hydrogen is also suitable for commercial use where effective range and recharging/refuelling times affect the bottom line. 

“We now need to coordinate and plan to ensure that our roads, ports, electricity and gas infrastructure can be optimised to support clean road transport and introduce appropriate fuel standards to incentivise the transition. 

“We look forward to working with government to ensure that Australian consumers have choice when it comes to accessing the new transport technologies.” 

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