Hydrogen

Australia will soon have 40 hydrogen-powered cars on local roads – even though there is only one refuelling station nationally to date. In addition to 20 Hyundai Nexo hydrogen-powered SUVs due to hit the road next month, Toyota has confirmed it will import 20 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell sedans from next year.

The local automotive industry has welcomed a Federal Government plan to inject $74.5 million of funding into the take-up of emissions-free vehicles across Australian businesses and communities. The Future Fuels Fund, announced by Minister for Energy Angus Taylor on September 17, is expected to subsidise business adoption of electric vehicles and corresponding infrastructure, with more details to be shared in the coming weeks.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is developing an SUV based on a hydrogen fuel cell platform, according to an announcement from the UK government. The hydrogen SUV program, known as Project ZEUS, is part of a £73.5 million (AU$132.2M) UK government initiative to develop low emission vehicles. Project ZEUS stands for 'zero and low-emissions vehicles in urban society'.

The Hyundai HDC-6 Neptune fuel-cell truck has been teased ahead of its release at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta. Hyundai has positioned itself as a leader alongside Toyota in the hydrogen fuel-cell world. It currently offers the Nexo fuel-cell crossover overseas, and will be bringing 20 to Australian roads as part of a trial involving Canberra government staff.

The BMW i Hydrogen Next unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show is said to preview a production car coming around 2022. According to Car and Driver, the i Hydrogen Next has a driving range of between 490 and 595 kilometres. The car's hydrogen fuel tanks are reportedly located under the rear seat and in the centre tunnel, and can be refilled in around four minutes. It also features a fuel-cell stack jointly developed by BMW and Toyota as part of their co-operation agreement signed in 2013.